STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2192

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.C.R. No. 46

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.C.R. No. 46 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CONVENE A FERAL GAME MAMMAL WORKING GROUP TO FIND, SOLICIT, AND DISTRIBUTE GRANTS FOR THE CONTROL OF FERAL GAME MAMMALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to convene a Feral Game Mammal Working Group to find, solicit, and distribute grants for the control of feral game mammals to address the environmental, health, and safety concerns that they pose in the State.

Your Committee did not receive any written testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that feral game mammals threaten the integrity and health of Hawaii's fragile environment. Feral goats, sheep, pigs, and axis deer accelerate erosion, spread weeds and diseases, and uproot native plants and agricultural crops.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 46 and recommends that it 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