HI HB1794

Expands membership eligibility for county arborist advisory committees beyond landscape architects to include certified arborists, horticulturists with specialization in trees, and persons with a master's degree in botany.

Amends section 58-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to restructure the committee composition to include the county planning director (or designee), one member meeting the expanded professional qualifications, and not less than three other members selected for community beautification or ecological science involvement.

Addresses the Hawaii County issue where only three landscape architects work within the county, which has left the county arborist advisory committee non-functional since 2008 due to insufficient candidate pool.

Recognizes the value of trees for their beauty and ecological functions under Act 105 (Session Laws of Hawaii 1975) and seeks to enable counties to establish functioning advisory committees to protect trees of exceptional stature.

Takes effect upon approval.