HB 1008 Summary

• Amends Hawaii's forest stewardship program to replace references to "private" forest lands with "privately managed" forest lands to broaden eligibility.

• Adds a new definition of "program implementation agreement" as a written forest stewardship management contract between the board and program applicant.

• Increases cost-share assistance payments from 50% to 75% for developing approved management plans and establishes separate 50% reimbursement rate for implementing approved plans.

• Expands approved management activities to include management for non-native forest products (provided land was not previously cleared for that purpose) and removes historical restrictions on lands cleared before January 1, 1991.

• Takes effect January 1, 2050.