STAND. COM. REP. NO. 517-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2329

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. 2329 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to establish a one-year pilot program to reduce the population of rose-ringed parakeets on Kauai using past research and on-the-ground experience to guide future strategies.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Economic Development for the County of Kauaʻi; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Kauai Invasive Species Committee; and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that the rose-ringed parakeet is an invasive bird that adversely affects agricultural production on several islands, including Kauai. Their large flocks cause damage to valuable food crops and native ecosystems, and their roosting behavior, loud calls, and accumulated droppings are detrimental to local communities and resort destinations. This measure would support the establishment of a sustained, year-long pilot program to reduce the population of rose-ringed parakeets through effective control methods, providing relief to Kauai famers, enhancing visitor destinations, and reducing public-health concerns.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

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

(3) 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 an appropriation amount of $150,000 for fiscal year 2024-2025.

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. 2329, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2329, 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