STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3066

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2619

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. 2619, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate an unspecified amount of 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 Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Ulupono Initiative; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ka ʻOhana O Na Pua; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that the entry and establishment of a new, devastating pest or disease is an ever-present reality, given the increase and expansion of global trade and travel. Your Committee further finds that the State's biosecurity program established by the Department of Agriculture is vital to prevent and manage invasive species from entering and spreading throughout the State. This measure will provide necessary resources for the Department of Agriculture to build local capacity and execute operations to effectively protect the fragile environment of the State's island communities against invasive species on multiple fronts.

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. 2619, 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,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair