STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3299

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2329

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2329, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate an unspecified amount of 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 Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, County of Kauaʻi Office of Economic Development, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and four individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Animal Rights Hawaiʻi.

Your Committees find that rose-ringed parakeets are invasive birds that pose a significant threat to the agriculture, native ecosystems, and public health of the State. According to testimony received by your Committees, rose-ringed parakeets are considered widely established on the islands of Oahu and Kauai, making an eradication effort almost impossible. Your Committees find that this measure will provide funding for a one-year pilot program, which solidifies best practices to manage the population of these invasive birds. However, your Committees note that the provisions of this measure do not require the one-year pilot program to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature, and your Committees respectfully request that this concern be considered as this measure moves forward in the legislative process.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2329, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair