STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1025-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 474

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 474, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RAT LUNGWORM DISEASE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help combat rat lungworm disease by appropriating funds to the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo for programs, studies, and activities related to the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease; provided that the appropriation is contingent on a 1:1 match between the state and anticipated sources of funding and other appropriations.

The Hilo Medical Center, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Council Members representing Districts 4 and 5 of the Hawai‘i County Council, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Ohana Ho‘opakele, Pele Lani Farm LLC, and many individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and an individual provided comments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 474, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair