STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3013

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3237

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3237, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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 Department 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 of Agriculture's noxious weed list is updated.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council, ʻAhahui o nā Kauka, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, Livable Hawaii Kai Hui, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Ahahui Mālama I Ka Lokahi, Hawaii Environmental Restoration, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, and sixty individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committees find that the State has one of the highest levels of endemism in both its native animals and plants, encompassing one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. However, the presence of invasive plant and animal species threatens native ecosystems and has contributed to a significant loss of endemic birds, plant species, and other organisms. Due to the State's geographic isolation, many plant and animal species have not evolved adaptations to new threats, including invasive species. Therefore, this measure strengthens the State's regulation on imported plant species to prioritize natural resource management and protection of native species.

Your Committees acknowledge the legitimate concerns raised by the Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO, regarding amendments that are needed to ensure passage through the legislative process. Accordingly, your Committees respectfully request subsequent Committees to address this concern.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of April 14, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3237, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3237, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair