STAND. COM. REP. NO. 592-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1929

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1929 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require and appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop a Molokai biosecurity plan to prevent the spread of invasive species found elsewhere in the State to the island of Molokai;

(2) Authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for a new plant and plant materials quarantine facility on the island of Molokai; and

(3) Appropriate funds for staffing of the Molokai plant and plant materials quarantine facility.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; The Nature Conservancy Hawaiʻi and Palmyra; Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi; Kupuna for the Moʻopuna; Shimanchu Mamuyaa; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that Molokai continues to be free from many invasive species found elsewhere in Hawaii, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, coqui frog, fungi responsible for rapid ʻōhiʻa death, and miconia. Your Committee further finds that protecting Molokai from these invasive species is crucial to preserving the island's natural environment, agriculture, cultural resources, and community well-being.

Your Committee notes that Molokai does not have a plant quarantine or inspection facility and has no dedicated inspection staff on the island, making the island highly vulnerable to invasive species. This measure will provide critical funding to strengthen biosecurity protections for Molokai.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the bond issuance and appropriations to unspecified amounts;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider:

(1) $5,000,000 for the plant and plant materials inspection and quarantine facility on the island of Molokai;

(2) $500,000 for staffing of the plant and plant materials inspection and quarantine facility; and

(3) $150,000 for the development of a Molokai biosecurity plan.

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 H.B. No. 1929, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1929, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair