STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1380-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 121

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 Corrections, Military, & Veterans, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 121 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO ERADICATE OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM PEARL HARBOR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage the United States Navy to eradicate octocoral and other invasive species from the waters of Pearl Harbor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Military Affairs Council.

Your Committee finds that octocoral and other invasive species are threatening Pearl Harbor's maritime ecosystem. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources has not been informed of the outcomes of pilot eradication projects conducted by the United States Navy in certain areas of Pearl Harbor. Your Committee further finds that this information would be essential to informing the State's response if octocoral and other invasive species are found outside Pearl Harbor.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding findings related to the United States Navy's pilot eradication projects;

(2) Encouraging the United States Navy to provide the Department of Land and Natural Resources with status updates on the eradication and spread of invasive octocoral;

(3) Amending its title; and

(4) 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 Corrections, Military, & Veterans that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 121, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 121, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Corrections, Military, & Veterans,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair