H.R. 297 – To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the establishment…

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Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:18 PM UTC

The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to study whether a new unit of the National Forest System can be created in Hawaii. It requires evaluating suitable land on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai, and considers how such a unit would protect forests, water resources, and provide visitor opportunities. The study involves state agencies, private and nonprofit groups, and landowners, and the findings must be reported to Congress within three years.

Key Provisions

Defines the “study area” as the six main Hawaiian islands and identifies the Secretary of Agriculture (via the Forest Service) as the responsible official.
Mandates a feasibility study to assess the suitability of establishing a National Forest unit and to identify land that could be included.
Requires coordination with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and consultation with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, other government entities, nonprofits, and individuals.
Specifies study content, including unique vegetation, forest and water protection, potential duplication of resources, parcel size and administration, landowner willingness to sell, suitability for research or experimental forests, cost estimates, and alternative conservation options.
States that the study does not authorize any land acquisition or action affecting existing federal or non‑federal lands.
Requires the Secretary to submit a report of the study’s results and recommendations to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee no later than three years after enactment.

Legislative Activity

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13 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 254.

January 19, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 13, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

January 13, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

February 18, 2021

HouseFloor

Mr. Soto moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

May 12, 2021 • 1:11 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2217-2219)

May 12, 2021 • 1:12 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 297.

May 12, 2021 • 1:12 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

May 12, 2021 • 1:20 PM

HouseFloor

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 380, proceedings on H.R. 297 are considered vacated.

May 12, 2021 • 5:38 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 6 of H. Res. 380, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 297; H.R. 433; H.R. 478; H.R. 586; H.R. 721, as amended; H.R. 768; H.R. 810; H.R. 1205; H.R. 1260, as amended; H.R. 1324; H.R. 1448, as amended; H.R. 1475, as amended; H.R. 1480, as amended; H.R. 2862, as amended; H.R. 2955; and H.R. 2981.(consideration: CR H2235-2246; text: CR H2235)

May 12, 2021 • 5:38 PM

HouseFloor

Pursuant to section 6 of H. Res. 380, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 297; H.R. 433; H.R. 478; H.R. 586; H.R. 721, as amended; H.R. 768; H.R. 810; H.R. 1205; H.R. 1260, as amended; H.R. 1324; H.R. 1448, as amended; H.R. 1475, as amended; H.R. 1480, as amended; H.R. 2862, as amended; H.R. 2955; and H.R. 2981. (consideration: CR H2235-2246; text: CR H2235)

May 12, 2021 • 5:38 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

May 13, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

November 18, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 117-57.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

January 19, 2022

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 254.

January 19, 2022

Floor Debate

6 members

What members said about H.R. 297 on the floor

+1

3 Republicans3 Democrats

Rep. Ed CaseD-HI-1 · May 12, 2021

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 297, the bill that I have co-introduced with my colleague from Hawaii, Representative Kaiali'i Kahele. As Mr. Soto and the ranking member have…

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 297, the bill that I have co-introduced with my colleague from Hawaii, Representative Kaiali'i Kahele.

As Mr. Soto and the ranking member have noted, this legislation would require the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the State of Hawaii, to conduct a study to identify lands in the State of Hawaii that merit inclusion in the National Forest System. This would be the first step in potentially establishing a national forest in one of the few parts of our country with no such system.

As my friend and colleague, Mr. Soto, has noted, Hawaii is the most isolated island chain and one of the most ecologically diverse places in our world. Within our borders, we have 10 of the 13 world climate zones, ecosystems that range from the deserts to the tropics, where plants and animals that found their way to Hawaii evolved like nowhere else.

A 2014 survey identified 9,975 endemic species in Hawaii, many of which are reliant on Hawaii's fragile ecosystem, including our forests, to survive. However, since the onset of human arrival just centuries ago, Hawaii has lost almost half of its unique native forest cover and countless fauna and flora species.

Despite these threats to our unique biodiversity, Hawaii remains one of eight States that does not have a national forest or grassland. The study authorized by the bill would take steps to correct this oversight. It would consider how a Hawaii national forest could contribute to the conservation of this biodiversity not found elsewhere in our National Forest System while supporting the research mission of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.

It would help inventory where Hawaii's native koa, ohi'a, and sandalwood forests can be conserved and expanded for cultural and commercial practices. It would help identify where cultural sites could be better conserved and access expanded to the public and practitioners. And it would help provide the basis to bring together local stakeholders to advance the conservation of how to responsibly establish a national forest in Hawaii in a manner that will benefit both our island communities and the National Forest Service.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues in the Hawaii congressional delegation for their support. I thank the Committee on Natural Resources and Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands chairs, ranking members, members, and staff for their support and assistance in bringing this bill to the floor.

I take my ranking member's comments to heart. I certainly hope that this study will not only evaluate and investigate how we can create a national forest in Hawaii but how we can make that a model for how national forests can and should be administered throughout our country. I endorse his concerns as to the administration of our national forests and, certainly, would look forward to working with him in our subcommittee and committee.

As we continue to identify solutions to our climate and biodiversity crises, I hope we can all see the value in taking this step toward protecting our unique forest resources and their native species, along with providing important opportunities.

Rep. Darren SotoD-FL-9 · May 12, 2021

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 297) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the establishment of, and the potential land that could be…

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 297) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the establishment of, and the potential land that could be included in, a unit of the National Forest System in the State of Hawaii, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 297, sponsored by my Committee on Natural Resources' colleague, Representative Ed Case of Hawaii.

Madam Speaker, this legislation would require the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, to conduct a study to identify lands in the State of Hawaii that merit inclusion in the National Forest System.

Hawaii is one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, home to 10 of the 13 world climate zones, with ecosystems ranging from the deserts to tropics, where plants and animals that found their way to Hawaii evolved like nowhere else. The study would consider how a Hawaii national forest could contribute to the conservation of this biodiversity not found elsewhere in the National Forest System.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 297 provides the first step in establishing a national forest in Hawaii and a basis for bringing together local stakeholders to move forward the conversation on how to responsibly establish a national forest in Hawaii that benefits both Hawaii's island communities as well as the National Forest Service.

Madam Speaker, as we continue to work towards the Biden administration's effort to protect 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, and identify solutions to our climate and biodiversity crises, I hope we can all see the value in taking this step towards protecting Hawaii's unique forest resources and its native species.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his positive comments.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case).

Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Westerman from Arkansas, for his positive comments and bipartisan spirit, and I thank Mr. Case.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Bruce WestermanR-AR-4 · May 12, 2021

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 297, offered by our Natural Resources Committee colleague, Congressman Case from Hawaii. This bill…

Rep. Steny H. HoyerD-MD-5 · May 12, 2021

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 6 of House Resolution 380, I move to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 297, H.R. 433, H.R. 478,

Rep. Marjorie Taylor GreeneR-GA-14 · May 12, 2021

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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Rep. Alexander X. MooneyR-WV-2 · May 12, 2021

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued January 19, 2022

II

Calendar No. 254

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 297

[Report No. 117–57]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 13, 2021

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

January 19 (legislative day, January 18), 2022

Reported by Mr. Manchin, without amendment

AN ACT

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the establishment of, and the potential land that could be included in, a unit of the National Forest System in the State of Hawaii, and for other purposes.

1.

Hawaii national forest study

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

(2)

Study area

The term study area means the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai in the State of Hawaii.

(b)

Study

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall conduct a study—

(A)

to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Forest System in the study area; and

(B)

to identify available land within the study area that could be included in the unit described in subparagraph (A).

(2)

Coordination and consultation

In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A)

coordinate with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

(B)

consult with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and other interested governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, and any interested individuals.

(3)

Contents

In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A)

consider unique vegetation types that occur in the study area and that should be targeted for inclusion in the unit of the National Forest System described in paragraph (1)(A);

(B)

evaluate the ability of the Secretary—

(i)

to improve and protect forest areas within the study area; and

(ii)

to secure favorable water flows within the study area;

(C)

determine whether the unit of the National Forest System described in paragraph (1)(A) would expand, enhance, or duplicate—

(i)

resource protection; and

(ii)

visitor-use opportunities;

(D)

consider parcels of an appropriate size or location to be capable of economical administration as part of the National Forest System separately or jointly with the other land identified under paragraph (1)(B);

(E)

evaluate the willingness of landowners to sell or transfer land in the study area to the Secretary;

(F)

evaluate the suitability of land in the study area for potential selection and designation as a research natural area or an experimental forest;

(G)

identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance that would be needed to establish the unit of the National Forest System described in paragraph (1)(A); and

(H)

consider other alternatives for the conservation, protection, and use of areas within the study area by the Federal Government, State or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations.

(c)

Effect

Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary to take any action that would affect the use of any land owned by the United States or not owned by the United States.

(d)

Report

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes—

(1)

the results of the study; and

(2)

any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.

January 19 (legislative day, January 18), 2022

Reported without amendment