STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1549
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2023
RE: S.B. No. 1552
S.D. 2
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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 1552, S.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee
received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of
Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau,
Synergistic Hawai‘i
Agriculture Council, Hawaii Pest Control Association, Daifukuji Soto Mission,
and seven individuals.
Your Committee finds that little fire ants
are an invasive species that are spreading rapidly throughout the State. Your Committee further finds that the Hawaii
Ant Lab was established in 2009 to address the overwhelming need for research,
advice, and technical assistance to address and eradicate rapidly spreading
little fire ant infestations. However, reductions
in funding for the Hawaii Ant Lab over the years have significantly impacted the
Hawaii Ant Lab's research and effectiveness.
This measure provides additional support to the Hawaii Ant Lab in
mitigating the effects of little fire ants in the State.
Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1552, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1552, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair |
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