STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1109-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 3365

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 3365, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PLANT CARE COMPONENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to certify treatments performed on plant care components, which are wood chips, compost, and filter socks; and

(2) Place certain restrictions on the distribution or transportation of plant care components without prior treatment certification from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; ʻĀina Design Corp.; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that globalization has resulted in the increasing spread of invasive species, which poses a growing threat to the State and its agricultural economy and self-sufficiency. To address and mitigate that issue, this measure promotes the treatment of wood chips, compost, and filter stocks, which can harbor pests and invasives species, and restricts the movement of untreated plant care components into and throughout the State, thereby strengthening efforts to protect Hawaii's fragile environment, agricultural industry, and island communities against invasive species.

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 S.B. No. 3365, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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