STAND. COM. REP. NO.  213

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 876

      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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 876 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATIVE POLLINATORS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to support the revitalization of native pollinators by requiring the University of Hawaii to develop and implement native pollinator habitats to be deployed on all campuses of the University of Hawaii System.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Kaua‘i County Council, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, CleanEarth4Kids.org, and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and University of Hawai‘i System.

 

     Your Committee finds that native pollinators are threatened yet vital to the preservation of the State's native ecosystems.  This measure supports the environment and biological diversity through the revitalization of native pollinators in the State.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Adding a finding that the subject of this measure is a matter of statewide concern;

 

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

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the University of Hawai‘i System regarding the implementation requirements of this measure and respectfully requests your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, should it choose to deliberate on this measure, to consider those concerns.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 876, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 876, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education & Technology.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair