HB5

HB5


 * __Sponsors:__** Robby L. Nick S. William M.

__**Environment and Energy**__ __**T.T.T. Trees To Tablet computers**__

__**Purpose:**__ Look around at the world. Where does most of our paper come from? Trees. Sooner or later, we may be limited of the amount of trees to be cut.The purpose of this bill is to protect our trees and rainforests. In place of paper, we would start using more electronics. For example, start using things like Smartboards, computers, and tablets. If schools gave students a computer for school, we could greatly reduce the use of paper. It would be even better if students who own laptops could bring theirs to school. Think about the effects of removing all the trees. Trees take in harmful CO2 and give off life-giving Oxygen. Trees also give a habitat to animals of all kinds and if we keep cutting them down then these animals will not have anywhere to live. Our bill will limit the amount of paper in schools and have more electronic copies of papers, therefore less trees will be cut down.

This bill will effect schools, businesses, and hospitals in all areas. This will effect all businesses that are in the area. They are required to use 25% less paper. To make sure the paper companies aren't losing money they will cut down paper production by 25%. The factories that cut down the trees to make the paper will produce 25% less once this bill is passed and enforced.
 * __Eligibility:__**

1. We will limit the amount of paper used in schools, businesses, and hospitals by 25% and paper production by 25 %.This will raise the price of paper making people looking for alternative choices. To do this we should start by sending less paper to schools, businesses and hospitals and they will be required to use and buy less. Also we should use one piece of paper for multiple purposes. Using front and back for example. If we can limit paper, we could also save a lot of trees. The government will do monthly check-ups to see if paper is being cut down by 25%. This bill will start off slow but gradually increase in paper reduction. As more people start buying tablet computers, paper will be used less and less and hopefully we can gradually cut down paper use more and more in the future; our bill is the first step. Enviormentalists, Police Officers and Docters/Nurses will help inforce this bill. The more people we can get to limit paper by 25%, it will help balance out people who can't limit any paper.
 * __Terms and Benefits:__**

2. Our next step will be for people to buy their own computer/tablet computer, the people will be required to do this. These kinds of computers will limit paper by making everything electronic. Instead of printing hundreds of copies of one piece of paper, we would send E-mails of electronic document and use not physical pieces of paper. Also, if a certain person can't afford a computer the government will provide them one by paying for the computer. Encouraging the use of more electronic copies of information and the price of paper rising will hopefully lead and encourage us to cut down paper use. since computers and tablets are becoming more and more popular, this bill won't cost a lot of money since the average number of computers in a house-hold is 2. The only money that the government will need to pay for is the people who can't afford another computer or people who can't afford one at all. This will cost a little over a million dollars.

Since the paper production is cut by 25% in all areas of paper production there will be no fee for less paper coming in and going out, the price of paper will just rise. The people themselves are required to buy their own computer unless they are provided. If they can't afford one, the government will pay for it which will cost about $1,097,400 to make sure everyone has a tablet/computer.
 * __Fiscal impact:__**

Total cost: A little over 1 million

"Why Trees Are Important." // Complete Tree Service - Tree Pruning Service - Tree Arbor Service //. Web. 19 May 2011. http://www.savatree.com/whytrees.html.
 * __Resources:__**

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Monitor, Christian Science. "Poverty Now Comes with a Color TV - MSN Money." // Commentary Index - MSN Money //. MSN. Web. 19 May 2011. .

"Paper University - All About Paper." // TAPPI //. Technical Association for the Worldwide Pulp, Paper and Converting Industry, 2001. Web. 19 May 2011. .

"Why Do We Need Trees?" // BGCI: Botanic Gardens Conservation International //. Web. 19 May 2011. .

"Study: Pollution Helps Plants Absorb C02 - CNN." // Featured Articles from CNN //. Cable News Network, 22 Apr. 2009. Web. 19 May 2011. .

Natural Environment Research Council. "Plants Absorb More Carbon Dioxide Under Polluted Hazy Skies." // ScienceDaily //, 23 Apr. 2009. Web. 19 May 2011.

Lawrence, Alexis. "How to Use Trees to Stop Soil Erosion | EHow.com." // EHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the Curious Life | EHow.com //. Web. 19 May 2011. .

Toussaint, Melinda. "“Save the Trees… save the World!”." // Green Your Future //. Web. 19 May 2011. .