STAND. COM. REP. NO. 105

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 114

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 114 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Animal Industry Division of the Department of Agriculture to administer an assessment and approval process to import and move aquatic livestock in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Pet Advocacy Network and Jamestown Point Whitney Ventures LLC. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.

Your Committee recognizes the need to enhance food security in the State and that aquaculture is Hawaii's fastest growing local industry in the agriculture sector. Your Committee finds an additional need to enhance the public's safety from possible diseases that may be transmitted from the aquatic life trade, while also supporting the expansion and development of the aquaculture industry. This measure adds requirements that will instill new standards and frameworks to limit the spread of disease from the aquatic life trade.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 114 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair