STAND. COM. REP. NO. 477-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2139

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. 2139, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to conduct a study on effective treatment methods to reduce populations of the Queensland longhorn beetle.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Mauna Kea Cacao LLC; and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that while the Acalolepta aesthetica, or Queensland longhorn beetle, was once endemic to Australia, it has made its way to the Hawaiian islands, targeting many of the State's agriculturally important plants and culturally significant trees. Your Committee further finds that there have now been sightings of these beetles on Oahu, a sign that they are rapidly spreading from where they were first discovered on Hawaii Island. This measure allows the State to take early action against the invasive species before it can do more damage to Hawaii's ecosystems.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $138,443.

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. 2139, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair