STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2580

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2996

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2996 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate $600,000 to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for research, extension, and control of the little fire ant and other harmful ants.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Hawaii Pest Control Association; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Association of REALTORS; Makaha Mangoes Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers; Susan's Nuts, LLC; Stop LFA Kohala; Growing Together Edible Landscaping; Hawaii Ant Lab; Neudorff North America; Hawaii Island School Garden Network; Kuaiwi Farm; and fifteen individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Malamaki Farm School. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and one member of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board.

Your Committees find that invasive species, such as the little fire ant, pose a threat to human health, wildlife, agriculture, and tourism in the State. If left unaddressed, growing populations of little fire ants threaten Hawaii's residents and tourists. This measure appropriates funds to mitigate and control the threat posed by the little fire ant.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2996 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 Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair