STAND. COM. REP. NO. 591-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1951

H.D. 2

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. 1951, H.D. 1, 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 on 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 the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi; Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee; and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaiʻi Unites. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that invasive species present a significant risk to the State's agriculture, urban environments, and natural ecosystems. Your Committee further finds that establishing a Center for Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension that is focused on detection, management, and monitoring of invasive species will significantly enhance the State's ability to respond to invasive species and improve mitigation efforts to protect agriculture, safeguard natural resources, and support Hawaii's agricultural goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Center on Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension shall work with experts across the University of Hawaii System to develop and implement innovative solutions for detecting, monitoring, eradicating, and managing invasive species; and

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

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. 1951, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1951, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair