STAND. COM. REP. NO. 517

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 306

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. 306 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ORNAMENTAL GINGER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for statewide research into ornamental ginger pathogens, prevention of the spread of ornamental ginger pathogens, production and distribution of pathogen-free ornamental ginger plants, and outreach to ornamental producers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, East Oahu County Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Waimanalo Agricultural Association, and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that ornamental ginger is a valued plant that can be used as a shrub or as a cut flower. The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources have been able to identify three different viruses and one fungal pathogen that are infecting ornamental ginger. In addition, the Department of Agriculture has recognized the existence of fourteen additional pathogens of ornamental ginger. This measure will provide additional funding to promote a better understanding and mitigation of the pathogens infecting ornamental ginger in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

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. 306, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 306, 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