STAND. COM. REP. NO. 521-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2619

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. 2619 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the biosecurity program of the Department of Agriculture to develop and implement projects for clean plant material, agricultural treatments, diagnostics, and pest management.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association; Maui County Farm Bureau; and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that due to the significant impact of invasive species on Hawaii's agriculture, environment, natural resources, public health, and economy, strengthening biosecurity is a good investment for the State. Since invasive species pose the biggest threat to Hawaii on many fronts, preventive measures can save the State a significant amount of money over the long term. Thus, it is important to ensure that the biosecurity program can continue to operate and expand its efforts.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of either $2,500,000 as requested by the Department of Agriculture or $90,000,000 as requested by the Hawaii Farm Bureau.

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. 2619, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2619, 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