STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3038

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2885

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2885, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning January 1, 2027, establish mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material to reduce the spread of coconut rhinoceros beetles within infested zones and to prevent spread into non-infested zones; and

(2) Establish penalties.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, Fairways at Ko Olina Resort, Beach Villas at Ko Olina, Ko Olina Golf Club, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Food+ Policy, Molokai Aha Kiole, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Windward Coalition, Hawaiian Earth Recycling, Kualoa Ranch, Coconut Plantation AOAO, and fifteen individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

Your Committees find that the coconut rhinoceros beetle is one of the State's most destructive invasive species, where coconut beetle spread is difficult to manage due to the ability for larvae to grow within mulch and green waste piles undetected. Your Committees further find that addressing the accumulation and spread of coconut rhinoceros beetle host material is critical to the success of current mitigation efforts. This measure will enhance biosecurity regulatory structures and reduce reinfestation to protect the State's agriculture and culturally significant landscapes.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2885, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair