STAND. COM. REP. NO. 233-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1518

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1518 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the research, extension, and control of the little fire ant and other harmful ant species.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Association of REALTORS; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Hilo Orchid Farm Hawaii, Inc.; Stop LFA Kohala; Hawaii Ant Lab; Mauna Kea Cacao LLC; and eleven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the little fire ant, or Wasmannia auropunctata, was first discovered on the island of Hawaii in 1999. Since then, the little fire ant has spread to the islands of Kauai, Lanai, Maui, and Oahu. Your Committee finds that little fire ants deliver a painful sting when disturbed, and welts from the sting can persist for weeks. Little fire ants also infest agricultural fields, farms, and homes; damage crops; promote plant pests; and will sting humans and animals. Your Committee finds that providing funds for the research, extension, and control of the little fire ant and other harmful ant species is critical to mitigate the negative impacts of these ants on the State's agriculture industry, the economy, the environment, and human health.

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 encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1518, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1518, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair