STAND. COM. REP. NO. 124-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1951

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1951 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish a Center for Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension to develop and implement innovative solutions for detecting, monitoring, eradicating, and managing invasive species.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from University of Hawaiʻi System; Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council Inc.; The Nature Conservancy; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that invasive species continue to cause severe and increasing damage to Hawaii's agricultural production, ranching lands, and native ecosystems, threatening food security, economic stability, and environmental health statewide. Your Committee further finds that establishing a dedicated Center for Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension will strengthen the State's ability to predict, detect, and manage invasive species through coordinated research, improved diagnostics, community‑based solutions, and workforce development.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation and allocation to unspecified amounts;

(2) Clarifying that an allocation shall be used for the planning and design of the Center on Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension; and

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1951, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1951, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair