STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2954

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2501

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2501, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to prioritize the protection of exceptional trees from invasive species.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.

Your Committee finds that it is the policy of the State to safeguard exceptional trees from destruction. Your Committee further finds that invasive species pose a serious risk to exceptional trees and that those trees should thus be prioritized for protection.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2501, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair