STAND. COM. REP. NO. 178-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2758

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. 2758 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Facilitate the control and eradication of invasive species and pests;

(2) Establish a Plant Nursery Licensing Program;

(3) Require the Board of Agriculture to designate certain species as pests for control or eradication;

(4) Impose certain limits on imports and transportation; and

(5) Update the method by which the Department's noxious weed list is updated.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council; Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; We Are One, Inc.; Free Access Coalition; Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and Ka Ohana O Na Pua.

Your Committee finds that invasive species collectively present one of the single greatest threats to Hawaii's economy and natural environment, its native species, and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people. Impacts of invasive species have been severe, negative, and expensive and have included serious habitat degradation, extinction of native species, increased wildfire risk, increases in the cost of agriculture and livestock production, and many other impacts. Your Committee further finds that protecting Hawaii from invasive pests requires more than the mere application of chemicals to each new infestation. Necessary actions include efforts to prevent pests from entering the State and spreading within the State. This measure facilitates the control and eradication of invasive species and pests and assists the Department of Agriculture in carrying out its responsibilities.

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.

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. 2758, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2758, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair