STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3153

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2119

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 Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2119, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COFFEE PEST CONTROL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Temporarily reestablish the Coffee Berry Borer and Coffee Leaf Rust Pesticide Subsidy Program and the program manager position, including the position's civil service and collective bargaining laws exemption;

(2) Require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to report to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the operation and implementation of the Pesticide Subsidy Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaii Coffee Growers Association, Hawaii Coffee Association, Kona Coffee Farmers Association, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State's coffee industry has been heavily impacted by invasive species, particularly the Coffee Berry Borer and Coffee Leaf Rust, which have caused defoliation, reduced berry production, and lowered harvest quality. Previous legislation established the Coffee Berry Borer and Coffee Leaf Rust Pesticide Subsidy Program, which was critical to provide the necessary tools to manage these pests and diseases, but the program sunset in 2023. This measure represents a commitment to stabilize the State's coffee industry and ensure its long-term sustainability as pests continue to pose a severe threat to the industry.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the fungus Beauveria bassiana is known to control, rather than eradicate, the Coffee Berry Borer;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2119, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2119, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair