STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2591

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3379

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 Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 3379 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for a ports-of-entry biosecurity program.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committees find that a recently-concluded five-year pilot program demonstrated the value in strengthening biosecurity in the State. Invasive species pose a significant challenge to Hawaii and its agriculture industry. Reducing the threat of invasive species would promote a more profitable agriculture industry and save the State considerable amounts of money and resources over the long term. This measure supports the State's biosecurity by appropriating funds for a port-of-entry biosecurity program.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Transportation that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3379 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 Transportation,

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair