Senate Resolution 129 Summary

• Requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to convene a working group to develop recommendations for expanding blue carbon initiatives in Hawaii.

• Working group membership includes the Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (chair), Director of Land and Natural Resources, Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office, one House member, one Senate member, and representatives from nonprofit organizations specializing in Hawaiian rights, environmental preservation, and climate change mitigation.

• Working group must consider current blue carbon initiatives in Hawaii and abroad, the role of carbon sinks in greenhouse gas mitigation, development of a carbon sequestration measurement method for blue carbon projects, and international frameworks including New South Wales' Blue Carbon Strategy 2022-2027.

• Requires the working group to submit a report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2025 Regular Session.