STAND. COM. REP. NO. 441-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2131

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2131 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture to:

(A) Mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug and undertake recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two-line spittlebug; and

(B) Take measures to reduce the population of the two-lined spittlebug and to assist in recovery efforts; and

(2) Require the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2025.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaiʻi System; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the two-lined spittlebug is an invasive insect that destroys key forage grasses used by the livestock ranching industry. Because livestock ranching is a highly productive and extremely valuable industry in the State, it is crucial that the State address the threat of the two-lined spittlebug and restrict its spread, which could cause further harm to Hawaii's livestock industry, employment, and food security.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider requiring the Department of Agriculture to report to the Legislature on its progress to reduce the population of the two-lined spittlebug and assist in recovery efforts.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2131, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2131, H.D. 1, and 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