STAND. COM. REP. NO. 714

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 22

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 22, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BED BUGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit landlords, including those operating in public housing and educational dorm settings, from renting a dwelling unit that the landlord knows has a current bed bug infestation; and

(2) Establish procedures that landlords shall take upon receiving notice of an actual or suspected bed bug infestation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the United State Department of Housing and Urban Development, Hawaii Pest Control Association, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that bed bug infestations are a growing problem in the United States. The United States Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider bed bugs a public health pest. Although the insects are not known to transmit disease, bites may itch and cause an allergic reaction in some people, which may lead to secondary infections. The presence of bed bugs may also contribute to stress or anxiety. By addressing the prevalence of possible bed bug infestations in rental units, the State can protect renters from an emerging public health problem.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 22, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair