CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 188

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 1552

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1552, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to support the Hawaii Ant Lab in mitigating the effects of little fire ants in the State.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the little fire ant is an invasive pest that is difficult to manage and is spreading throughout the islands of Hawaii. The little fire ant is particularly concerning because of their bite, which can cause an irritating burning sensation and welts and marks on the skin. Furthermore, the bite of little fire ants has been correlated with blindness in cats and dogs, which is causing concern amongst pet owners and residents across the State. Therefore, this measure appropriates funds to support and enhance the efficacy of the Hawaii Ant Lab at the Department of Land and Natural Resources to mitigate and contain the effects of the little fire ant in Hawaii.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding the requisite information for making an appropriation in excess of the general fund expenditure ceiling pursuant to article VII, section 9, of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(2) Inserting an appropriation amount of $500,000 for fiscal year 2023-2024;

(3) Making it effective on July 1, 2023; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1552, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1552, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES Co-Chair	____________________________ MIKE GABBARD Chair
____________________________ KIRSTIN KAHALOA Co-Chair	____________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO Co-Chair