The proposed legislation has significant implications for state laws regarding landscaping and public spaces. By mandating the inclusion of fruit trees in state landscaping, it aligns with goals for ecological sustainability and community welfare. Additionally, the bill encourages public engagement with nature by allowing any person to freely harvest fruit from these trees without the need for permits or licenses, fostering a sense of community stewardship over state lands.
Summary
SB666, introduced in the 2023 legislative session, aims to amend Chapter 27 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by promoting the planting of fruit trees in state landscaping projects. The bill requires that whenever the state designs landscaping for new or renovated facilities, including buildings and public highways, it shall prefer to plant edible fruit trees to the extent practicable. This initiative is seen as a means to enhance community interaction with the environment, facilitate access to fresh fruits, and increase the sustainability of state landscaping efforts.
Contention
However, the bill raises several points of contention, particularly concerning liability. The legislation states that the State and its agencies would not be liable for any civil damages or criminal penalties related to injuries or illnesses resulting from the harvesting or consumption of the fruit. This provision may raise concerns regarding food safety and public health, as it relieves the state of responsibility for potential health risks associated with unsupervised fruit harvesting.