STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2718

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2737

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2737 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for one full-time equivalent extension agent position for the Hawaii Ant Lab West Hawaii Office.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and two private individuals.

Your Committees find that invasive species are a primary threat to Hawaii's agriculture and economy. Funding for control of invasive species, such as little fire ants, is critical to ensure that appropriate responses can be implemented and maintained which mitigate negative impacts on the environment and economy.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2737 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair