CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 89-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 572

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 572, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize and specify conditions under which the Department of Agriculture may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms; and

(2) Broaden the objectives and general actions of the State's Biosecurity Program.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the entry and establishment of new invasive species in the State can lead to significant economic and environmental loss. Your Committee on Conference recognizes that there is a high likelihood of a new, devastating pest or disease entering the State, given the increase and expansion of global trade and travel. Your Committee on Conference believes that authorizing the Department of Agriculture to declare a biosecurity emergency, with the Governor's approval, would help the Department acquire the necessary resources to rapidly respond to new pest introductions, thereby protecting the economy and environment of the State.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language that exempts any vessel that has anti-fouling hull coating and does not discharge ballast water, uses freshwater for ballasting, or is equipped with ultraviolet filtration systems for ballast water, from being requisitioned or taken control of by the Governor during a declared biosecurity emergency;

(2) Making it effective upon its approval; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 572, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 572, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES Co-Chair	____________________________ MIKE GABBARD Chair
____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Co-Chair	____________________________ LYNN DECOITE Co-Chair
____________________________ KIRSTIN KAHALOA Co-Chair