STAND. COM. REP. NO. 537-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2140

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 Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2140, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose 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 Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Maui County Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that ornamental ginger is a valued plant that is one of the State's most commonly used shrub and cut flowers; however red ginger production has declined significantly during the last ten years due to viral pathogens. This measure will provide needed funds to continue statewide research to help prevent the spread of these pathogens, support the production and distribution of pathogen-free plants, and allow for outreach to strengthen and protect Hawaii's flora culture industry.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it choose to deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $125,000, to be used as follows:

(1) $2,800 for mileage for farm visits;

(2) $12,400 for travel;

(3) $35,200 for tissue culture lab fees;

(4) $19,000 for supplies;

(5) $10,600 for student hire;

(6) $7,000 for plot allocation to pay for a long-term plot for red ginger trials; and

(7) $38,000 for plot allocation to pay for a casual hire employee to perform trials on red ginger production.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2140, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair