HB 2635 Summary

• Establishes green infrastructure objectives and policies for state facility systems under the Hawaii State Planning Act to improve quality of life through vegetation, trees, and sustainable design.

• Adds four sustainability design objectives: minimizing stormwater runoff, reducing urban heat-island effect, removing air pollutants, and sequestering greenhouse gas emissions.

• Requires state facility projects to incorporate quality of experience objectives including visual and sound barriers, live foliage and open green space, and standardized paint schemes for exposed infrastructure.

• Adds three new scenic and natural beauty policies to Section 226-12: promoting increased outdoor public green spaces, connecting green spaces with trails, and increasing urban tree canopy.

• Requires the Office of Planning, in partnership with the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force, to report by twenty days before the 2021 legislative session with recommendations for implementing the green infrastructure standards and guidelines.