STAND. COM. REP. NO. 384-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2207

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. 2207 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow for the use of monofilament netting to protect plants against invasive species under certain conditions; and

(2) Require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules allowing the sale and distribution of fine mesh nets, including monofilament netting, in the State to protect plants from the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and CARES.

Your Committee finds that the coconut rhinoceros beetle can have devastating impacts on species of palm trees that are foundational to Hawaii's agricultural economy, cultural heritage, and ecosystems. Your Committee further finds that the use of fine meshed nets can effectively trap and prevent adult coconut rhinoceros beetles from accessing vulnerable plants and mitigate their impact on local plants and the environment.

Your Committee notes that although Act 184, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules for the use of banned monofilament netting, such power is only extended for bird keeping. This narrow exemption can hinder the ability of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules to allow for the sale of monofilament netting for coconut rhinoceros beetle interdiction. This measure extends the allowable sale and distribution of fine mesh nets, including monofilament netting, for the purpose of protecting plants from the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Subjecting fine mesh nets, including monofilament netting, that are regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to the requirements of federal law regarding requirements for certain pest devices;

(2) Requiring the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity's Pesticides Branch to approve a fine meshed net, monofilament netting, if the net meets the requirements of chapter 460J, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which regulates pest control operators;

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

(4) 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. 2207, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2207, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair