STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3276

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1714

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1714, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture for the mitigation and control of the two-lined spittlebug, recovery of rangeland and pastures damaged by the two-lined spittlebug, and research to monitor the status of the two-lined spittlebug.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawai‘i System; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Local Food Coalition; Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; McCandless Ranch; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Parker Ranch, Inc.; Ulupalakua Ranch; and eight individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the two-lined spittlebug is an invasive insect that attacks and destroys important grasses essential to the livestock ranching industry. Given the high productivity of the State's livestock ranching industry and the central role it plays in Hawaii's economy, it is necessary to combat the establishment and spread of the two-lined spittlebug in the State. This measure appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture to combat the threats posed by the two-lined spittlebug.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1714, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair