STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1040-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2207

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2207, 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 clarify the existing statutory authority allowing the use of fine mesh nets to protect against invasive species by:

(1) Specifying that monofilament netting of an appropriate mesh size may be used to protect plants against invasive species;

(2) Specifying that fine mesh nets regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act are subject to certain federal requirements;

(3) Specifying that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity must approve fine mesh nets if they meet the Department's efficacy and safety assessments for non-chemical pest control devices; and

(4) Requiring the Department to adopt rules allowing for the distribution and sale of fine mesh nets, including monofilament netting of an appropriate mesh size, for the sole purpose of protecting plants from the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

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

Your Committee finds that the coconut rhinoceros beetle is a major pest across the Pacific Region. Its primary host is the coconut palm, which contributes to soil stabilization, helps prevent coastal erosion, serves as a food source, and is a cultural icon in the State. However, these beetles can also attack native forest species, such as the native palm loulu, which are already threatened or endangered, and hala, which are an essential part of native lowland wet forests.

Your Committee further finds that more tools are necessary to mitigate the impacts of the beetle due to the devastating damage the insect has caused in the State. Proper netting has been proven to be an effective, nonchemical method that can enhance the repertoire of control methods for the coconut rhinoceros beetle. This measure provides the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity with the clear authority necessary to allow the use of fine mesh nets, including appropriate monofilament netting, to protect plants from coconut rhinoceros beetles.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that specified that:

(A) Fine mesh nets regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act are subject to certain federal requirements; and

(B) The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity must approve fine mesh nets if they meet the Department's efficacy and safety assessments for non-chemical pest control devices; 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2207, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2207, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair