STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3412

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 120

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 S.C.R. No. 120 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE TO CONSIDER THE IMPORTANCE OF RANGELANDS AND PASTORALISTS AND ADOPT POLICIES THAT FURTHER SUSTAIN RANGELAND HEALTH AND PASTORALIST LIVELIHOODS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the State to consider the importance of rangelands and pastoralists and adopt policies that further sustain rangeland health and pastoralist livelihoods.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Agriculture and Human Resilience, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from Animal Rights Hawaiʻi.

Your Committee finds that rangelands are natural ecosystems that are ecologically, economically, and culturally vital to all communities of the State because of the benefits they provide. Rangelands provide essential lands for pastoralists to raise livestock or semi-domesticated animals, which in turn helps support the economy, stewards the paniolo culture, and contributes to the State's ecosystem and biodiversity. This measure recognizes the importance of pastoralists and ensures that the ecological, economic, and cultural significance of rangelands in the State are sustained.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 120 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair