STAND. COM. REP. NO. 447-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2546

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2546 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow for the use of fine meshed nets for the protection of plants against invasive species.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the coconut rhinoceros beetle can have devastating impacts on palm species and other native plants that are foundational to the State's agricultural economy, cultural heritage, and ecosystems. The deployment of fine meshed nets can trap adult coconut rhinoceros beetles within affected plants or prevent some adult coconut rhinoceros beetles from accessing certain plants, effectively mitigating their impact on local plants and the environment.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Agriculture to establish a registration program for purchasers of fine meshed nets in the State;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 H.B. No. 2546, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2546, 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,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair