STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3704

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2131

H.D. 2

S.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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2131, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the spread of the two-lined spittlebug throughout the State.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Appropriates moneys to the Department of Agriculture to mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug and fund recovery efforts for areas affected by the two-lined spittlebug; and

(2) Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii; Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Hawaii Cattlemens Council; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farmers Union; Hawaii Food+ Policy; Kealia Ranch; Kualoa Ranch; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Ulupono Initiative; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that the two-lined spittlebug is severely damaging the rangelands on the island of Hawaii and creating opportunities for invasive weed species to overtake grass species. Your Committee notes that the damage caused by the two-lined spittlebug also includes the creation of dead grasses and other wildfire fuels. Accordingly, your Committee believes that providing for the mitigation and control of two-lined spittlebug infestations will help to protect the State's rangelands and prevent future wildfires.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Agriculture to submit a final report to the Legislature; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2131, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2131, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair