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SB 867

Relating to: grants for planting trees to address urban heat islands, eligible recipients for urban forestry grants, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Carpenter and 7 co-sponsors

Bill establishes state grants for urban tree planting to reduce heat islands and expands eligible grant recipients while expediting rules implementation.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · SB 867

Legislative bill overview

SB 867 would establish state grants for planting trees in urban areas to mitigate heat island effects, expand which organizations can receive urban forestry grants, and include an emergency rule exemption to expedite implementation. The bill includes a fiscal appropriation to fund these grant programs.

Why is this important

Urban heat islands—where cities experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding areas—increase cooling costs, public health risks, and energy demand. Strategic tree planting is an evidence-based approach to reducing these temperatures while providing additional benefits like stormwater management and air quality improvement. The bill represents a policy effort to make this intervention more accessible across municipalities.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and fiscal impact: The bill requires state appropriations; critics may question whether funds should prioritize this versus other budget needs, and whether local governments should fund their own tree-planting initiatives
  • Eligible recipient expansion: Broadening which organizations can receive grants may benefit environmental nonprofits and community groups, but raises questions about oversight, accountability, and equal distribution across regions
  • Emergency rule exemption: Bypassing standard regulatory procedures could accelerate implementation but reduces public comment periods and legislative scrutiny of implementation details

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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