# Hawaii HB 1501: RELATING TO TREES.

Hawaii HB 1501, RELATING TO TREES., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) House bill sponsored by Elle Cochran (Republican); status in committee, last action 2025-01-27 (Referred to WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 4) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1501-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 1501
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO TREES.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-23
- Last action: 2025-01-27, Referred to WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 4
- Sponsor: Elle Cochran (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 7
- Subjects: DLNR, Exceptional Trees Program, Significant Trees, State Arborist Advisory Committee, County Arborist Advisory Committees, WAL, JHA, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes base selection criteria for exceptional trees. Establishes the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes. Establishes the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. Requires County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least six members, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees. Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Elle Cochran (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Terez Amato (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Kim Coco Iwamoto (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Matthias Kusch (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Lisa Marten (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Christopher L. Muraoka (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Amy A. Perruso (Democratic), House

## Actions (2)

- 2025-01-27: Referred to WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 4 (House)
- 2025-01-23: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB1501_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB1501_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB1501_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB1501_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
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- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1501-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).