STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1046-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2139

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2139, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to establish and implement an Invasive Species Inspection Placard Program to enhance the control, removal, and eradication of invasive species on the premises of an agricultural producer and inform the public of the most recent invasive species inspection results for agricultural producers; and

(2) Appropriate funds to mitigate the spread of the little fire ant and coconut rhinoceros beetle in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Food+ Policy; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee; and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Agriculture. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2139, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair