STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2403

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2419

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2419 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate $2,500,000 for the biosecurity program of the Department of Agriculture to develop and implement projects for clean plant material, agricultural treatments, diagnostics, and pest management.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Maui County Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Young Republicans; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; Food + Policy; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Ponoholo Ranch, Limited; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and eleven individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from Ka ʻOhana O Na Pua.

Your Committee finds that the entry and establishment of a new, devastating pest or disease is an ever-present reality, given the increase and expansion of global trade and travel. Your Committee further finds that the State's biosecurity program established by the Department of Agriculture (Department) is vital to prevent and manage invasive species from entering and spreading throughout the State. According to testimony received by your Committee, the Department has long been underfunded and understaffed to meet the growing needs and challenges of its biosecurity mission. This measure will provide necessary resources for the Department to build local capacity and execute operations to effectively protect the fragile environment of the State's island communities against invasive species on multiple fronts, while growing the local agricultural industry and increasing levels of self-sufficiency and sustainability in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2419 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair