STAND. COM. REP. NO. 403-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2276

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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2276 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the removal of albizia trees that potentially threaten public roadways and utility infrastructure rights of way on public and private land; provided that the funds are matched on a two-to-one basis from a public utilities source.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiian Electric and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that albizia trees are an invasive species that present a threat to life, property, public roads, and utility infrastructure in Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the trees proposed to be removed under this measure are albizia and other invasive trees;

(2) Changing its 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 Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2276, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2276, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair