STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1504

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 306

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 306, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to protect the health of ornamental ginger, an important agricultural product in the State.

More specifically, the measure appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for:

(1) Statewide research into ornamental ginger pathogens;

(2) Prevention of the spread of ornamental ginger pathogens;

(3) Production and distribution of pathogen-free ornamental ginger plants; and

(4) Outreach to ornamental ginger producers.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Wild Kids, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, East Oahu County Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, and three individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help the State to effectively respond to disease pathogens that threaten ornamental ginger plants and thus protect the long-term viability of this important agricultural product.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 306, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 306, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair