STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3639

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2551

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2551, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is protect local food production by supporting continued fruit fly suppression efforts in Hawaii.

More specifically, this measure makes an unspecified appropriation to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity for an area-wide fruit fly suppression program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Food+ Policy - Purple Maia Foundation, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that fruit flies are an invasive species that is widespread across the State. Your Committee notes that, as primarily an agricultural pest, fruit flies have a significant economic impact on produce growers in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that the allocation of moneys for an area-wide fruit fly suppression program will enable the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to reduce fruit fly populations and lessen impacts on a wide variety of food crops.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2551, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair