STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1837-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 572

S.D. 2

H.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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 572, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to 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 broaden the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Harbors Users Group; Matson Navigation Company, Inc.; and Young Brothers, LLC. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 572, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair