STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2972

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2321

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 Ways and Means, 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 and intent of this measure is to protect pastureland in the State and support the livestock ranching industry by combatting invasive insect infestation of forage pastures.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes a two-year two-lined spittlebug response pilot program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity;

(2) Requires the Department to submit to the Legislature a report discussing the progress of the pilot program, accounting for moneys expended by the program, and providing findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, prior to the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2028;

(3) Appropriates moneys for the pilot program.

Your Committee received written testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Forest Association, Larry Jefts Farms LLC, Agriculture Stewardship Hawai'i, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Ponoholo Ranch, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the two-lined spittlebug is a significant and immediate threat to the ranching industry in Hawaii. This invasive insect has already damaged thousands of acres of essential pasture grasses, reducing available pasture vegetation and creating opportunities for invasive weeds to dominate the landscape and increase wildfire risks. The pilot program established by this measure will work to respond to this threat in a timely and effective manner.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2321, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair