STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1390-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2321

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 2321, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a two-year Two-Lined Spittlebug Response Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaiʻi Forest Association; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Kualoa Ranch; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Oahu Invasive Species Committee; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that the two-lined spittlebug is an invasive pest that harms forage grasses vital to Hawaii's livestock ranching industry. Grasses damaged by two-lined spittlebug infestations are frequently beyond recovery and typically require replanting. Two-lined spittlebug infestations further reduce the quality of forage pastures and promote the establishment of weeds and lower-quality foraging grasses. Your Committee believes that the establishment of a Two-Lined Spittlebug Response Pilot Program is necessary to timely and effectively mitigate and control the spread of the two-lined spittlebug.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a sunset date of June 30, 2028, for the pilot program;

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

(3) 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 S.B. No. 2321, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2321, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair