STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1459-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.R. No. 132

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.R. No. 132 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Federal Government to develop a national biodiversity strategy to preserve and protect biodiversity within the State of Hawaii and throughout the United States.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and the University of Hawai‘i. Your Committee received testimony in opposition from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the United States, and the State of Hawai‘i in particular, face severe threats to biodiversity. While the State has approximately twenty-five percent of endangered species nationally, Hawai‘i receives only three percent of federal funds available to manage at-risk species. A federal biodiversity strategy could set goals, improve collaboration, and serve as a coordinating policy to maximize the effectiveness of local, state, national, and international conservation efforts.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 132 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair