STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3062

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2104

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2104, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate an unspecified amount of funds to support the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to ensure its long-term viability and prevent future problems.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; The Nature Conservancy; Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; Waiehu Land, L.L.C.; and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that despite the growing threat of invasive species in the State, the annual net funding allocation for the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Council) has not increased in over four years. Your Committee recognizes that approximately ninety percent of the Council's funding is used as bridge funding to supplement strategic interagency projects and programs under other state agencies and as competitive grants for innovative projects that address invasive species prevention, control, outreach, and research. This measure will provide necessary funding for the Council to ensure its viability to control and eradicate invasive species 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2104, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair