STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3227

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2551

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. 2551, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Area-Wide Fruit Fly Suppression Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Your Committee finds that fruit flies directly impact fruit and vegetable production, reduce marketable yields, increase production costs, and limit diversification opportunities for local farmers. Your Committee further finds that suppression programs have demonstrated success in reducing infestation levels and improving crop quality by using coordinated, science-based pest management strategies that integrate multiple tools and approaches. This measure would strengthen agricultural production statewide, while improving long-term biosecurity capacity.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment 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. 2551, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2551, 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