H.B. 331 Summary

• Establishes green infrastructure objectives and policies in the Hawaii State Planning Act to promote vegetation, trees, and sustainable design in state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects.

• Creates sustainability design objectives including minimizing stormwater runoff, reducing urban heat-island effect, improving air quality, and sequestering greenhouse gas emissions.

• Adds quality of experience design objectives requiring visual and sound barriers, incorporation of live foliage and trees, and standardized paint schemes for exposed infrastructure to blend with Hawaii's natural environment.

• Amends scenic resources policies to include 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 to the legislature by 20 days prior to the 2022 regular session with recommendations for implementing the new green infrastructure guidelines.