STAND. COM. REP. NO. 702

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 646

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 S.B. No. 646 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 respond to threats posed by plant pathogens to the commercial production of ornamental ginger.

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

(1) Statewide research into ornamental ginger pathogens;

(2) Prevention of the spread of these pathogens;

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

(4) Outreach to producers of ornamental ginger plants.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, East Oahu County Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Aina Ho`okupu o Kilauea, Waimanalo Agricultural Association, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure's multi-faceted approach to addressing existing and emerging plant pathogens affecting the commercial production of ornamental ginger will help to control and prevent the spread of these pathogens and thus protect the health of ornamental ginger plants and their long-term sustainability as a floriculture product.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation from $125,000 to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) 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 S.B. No. 646, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 646, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair