STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2573

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2362

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2362 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ORNAMENTAL GINGER,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for statewide research into ornamental ginger pathogens, prevention of the spread of ornamental ginger pathogens, production and distribution of pathogen-free ornamental ginger plants, and outreach to ornamental producers.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, East Oahu County Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Tropical Flowers Express, and five individuals.

Your Committees find that ornamental ginger is a valued plant that can be used as a shrub or cut flower. However, this plant species is susceptible to foreign pathogens that can decimate entire plants. This measure's multi—faceted approach to addressing existing and emerging plant pathogens affecting the commercial production of ornamental ginger will help to control and prevent the spread of these pathogens and thus protect the health of ornamental ginger plants and their long—term sustainability as a floriculture product.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2362 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education,

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair