STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1655

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 41

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.R. No. 41 entitled:

"SENATE 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 and intent 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 animals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that feral game mammals threaten the integrity and health of native ecosystems in Hawaii. Feral goats, sheep, pigs, and axis deer accelerate erosion, spread weeds and diseases, and uproot native plants. Therefore, this measure requests the Department of Agriculture to convene a working group to find, solicit, and distribute grants for the control of feral game animals to address the environmental, health, and safety concerns that they pose in the State.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 41 and recommends its adoption.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair