STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1043
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 652
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. 652 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to respond to threats posed by invasive species to the State's livestock ranching industry.
More specifically, the measure:
(1) Appropriates unspecified funds to the Department of Agriculture to mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug and undertake recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two-lined spittlebug; and
(2) Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the 2023 Legislature.
Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; University of Hawaii; Haleakala Ranch; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; McCandless Ranch; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Forest Industry Association; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Sustainable Beef Enterprises, LLC; Ponoholo Ranch, Ltd.; Kealia Ranch; and nine individuals.
Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Department of Agriculture.
Your Committee finds that it is crucial to control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug, an invasive insect that has reduced the quality of forage pastures relied upon by the State's highly productive and extremely valuable livestock ranching industry, to protect jobs and food security in the State. However, your Committee also finds that the noticeable increase in the State's feral chicken, rooster, and pig populations raises various health and safety concerns, and that this measure should also provide for the mitigation and control of these additional threats.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Correcting an erroneous reference to the Regular Session of 2023 with respect to the deadline for the Department of Agriculture's report to the Legislature on two-lined spittlebug control and mitigation, and instead requiring the Department to submit an interim report to the 2024 Legislature and a final report to the 2026 Legislature;
(2) Inserting new provisions that:
(A) Require the Department of Agriculture to establish a five-year pilot program to provide traps to members of the public to mitigate and control the State's feral chicken, rooster, and pig populations, and to submit an interim report to the 2026 Legislature and a final report to the 2028 Legislature; and
(B) Appropriate funds for the five-year pilot program;
(4) 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. 652, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 652, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair |
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