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HB1380 • 2026

RELATING TO ARBORISTS.

RELATING TO ARBORISTS.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
KUSCH, COCHRAN, HOLT, HUSSEY, KAHALOA, MARTEN, TODD
Last action
2025-12-08
Official status
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or consequences for non-compliance.

Rules for Arborists Working for the State

This bill requires that all certified arborists working for the state, including contractors, follow best management practices in tree care.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the state to ensure and enforce that all certified arborists it employs or hires as contractors adhere to best management practices.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Certified arborists working for or under contract with the state of Hawaii.

Terms To Know

Best Management Practices
The American National Standards Institute A300 Tree Care standards that certified arborists must follow in tree management and arboriculture-related care.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if a certified arborist fails to follow these best management practices.
  • It is unclear how this legislation will be enforced or monitored in practice.

Bill History

  1. 2025-12-08 D

    Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

  2. 2025-01-27 H

    Referred to CPC, FIN, referral sheet 4

  3. 2025-01-23 H

    Introduced and Pass First Reading.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO ARBORISTS.
State Arborists; Contractors; Best Management Practices
Requires the State to ensure and enforce that all certified arborists in its employ, including contractors, adhere to best management practices.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
HB1380

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1380

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to arborists
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that trees are essential for improving soil health and building
climate resiliency.
�
Trees absorb carbon
dioxide and supply oxygen, lower air temperatures, provide shade and shelter,
stabilize soil, prevent soil erosion, support the capture and conservation of
the State's water supply, help remediate pollutants, and cut down on noise pollution
by acting as sound barriers.

����
The legislature further finds that the
standards and best practices of the tree care industry not only reflect the
knowledge of specialists in the field and the latest in research findings, but
also raise the level of professionalism and public confidence in the field of
tree care.
�
Certified arborists, or
professional individuals who are equipped to plant, prune, transplant,
fertilize, monitor and treat for insects and diseases, and remove trees and
other woody plants, have an obligation to perform work that meets these
industry standards and best practices.
�
The
legislature notes that the State has a duty to manage and administer its public
lands, including the soil conservation function and all activities on and
within the forests, forest reserves, and state parks, and to promote the
conservation, development, and utilization of forests, including forest
reserves.

����
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
require the State to ensure that all certified arborists in its employ or under
contract adhere to best management practices.

����
SECTION 2.
�

The State and its departments, offices, agencies, and political
subdivisions shall require and enforce all certified arborists in its employ,
including contractors, to adhere to best management practices in tree
management and arboriculture-related care.

����
For the purposes of this section,
"best management practices" means the American National Standards
Institute A300 Tree Care standards.

����
SECTION 3.
�

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

State Arborists;
Contractors; Best Management Practices

Description:

Requires the
State to ensure and enforce that all certified arborists in its employ,
including contractors, adhere to best management practices.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.