STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1359-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 24

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.C.R. No. 24 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CREATE A PLAN TO DEVELOP AN INVASIVE PESTS PLACARD PROGRAM AND ASSESS THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to:

(1) Create a plan to develop an Invasive Species Placard Program and assess the resources needed to implement the program; and

(2) Submit the plan, the assessment of the resources needed to implement the program, and its recommendations, including to any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to convening of the 2025 Regular Session.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; and one individual.  Your Committee received comments from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that invasive pests are animals, insects, disease agents, or other organisms that are detrimental to agriculture, horticulture, public health, or natural resources including native biota or that have an otherwise adverse effect on the natural environment. Your Committee further finds that members of the public would be less likely to purchase and spread invasive pests if nurseries, farms, and other agriculture-related businesses were required to show a placard stating their invasive pest status within the classification system developed by the Department of Agriculture. Accordingly, this measure asks the Department of Agriculture to create a plan for the Invasive Species Placard Program and to share this plan with the Legislature.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 24 and recommends that it 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