STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 463-24
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2024
RE: H.B. No. 2650
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 Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2650 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds, to be matched by public utilities companies, to the Department of Transportation for the coordinated removal of Albizia and other invasive trees.
Your Committee finds
that Albizia and other invasive trees present a threat to life,
property, public roads, and utility infrastructure in the State. Albizia presents a particular danger,
as it is a fast-growing tree with large, brittle branches that are more likely
to fall or break in windy, rainy, or stormy weather conditions than trees of a
comparable size, leading to road closures, cut utility lines, and property
damage. This measure is intended to
promote public safety by appropriating funds, including matching funds, for the
coordinated removal of Albizia and
other invasive trees that threaten the State's public roadways.
Your
Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1,
3000, to encourage further discussion.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2650, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2650, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,
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____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair |
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