STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3772

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2644

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. 2644, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LITTLE FIRE ANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to support the Hawaii Ant Lab in mitigating the effects of little fire ants in the State.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Ant Lab, and four individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the moneys and positions authorized by this measure will provide critical support to the Hawaii Ant Lab for mitigating little fire ant infestations, conducting extension services, and developing and refining the lab's tools and methods.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the expending agency for the appropriation from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture; 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. 2644, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2644, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair