STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2819

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2419

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2419 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Agriculture's biosecurity program to develop and implement projects for clean seed and new varietal improvements, agricultural treatments, diagnostics, and pest management.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture; Honolulu City Council; Hawaii Young Republicans; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farmers Union; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Maui County Farm Bureau; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Food+ Policy; Aina Hookupu o Kilauea; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that invasive species pose a significant risk to Hawaii's agriculture, environment, natural resources, public health, and economy. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Agriculture is required to implement the comprehensive biosecurity program to control and prevent increasing threats of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms lacking a permit from entering and spreading throughout the State. Your Committee recognizes the Department's need for further appropriations to effectuate the biosecurity program.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making a technical nonsubstantive amendment for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2419, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2419, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair