STAND. COM. REP. NO. 518

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1149

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1149 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to support the existing coconut rhinoceros beetle response positions and activities of the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, East O‘ahu County Farm Bureau, Waimanalo Agricultural Association, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, Natura Nursery, Contemporary Landscaping LLC, Nā Pale O Kualaka‘i and NiuNow, Hui Mahi‘ai Aina, The Catered Coconut, Island Foodscaping, Mulkern Landscaping & Nursery, and eighteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and University of Hawai‘i System.

Your Committee finds that this measure supports the State's efforts in combatting the coconut rhinoceros beetle, an invasive species that is devastating to Hawaii's palm trees, especially coconut palms.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1149, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1149, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair