STAND. COM. REP. NO. 321-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1955

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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1955 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SPECIAL LAND AND DEVELOPMENT FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the use of the Special Land and Development Fund to eradicate or mitigate invasive species and install and maintain safety improvements on certain lands; and

(2) Appropriate funds out of the Special Land and Development Fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that the prevalence of invasive species in the State continues to be a problem that has a negative impact on Hawaii's fragile ecosystem, environment, and lands. Your Committee believes that more funding should go toward the eradication or mitigation of invasive species to protect the State's unique environment and natural resources.

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 Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1955, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1955, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair