STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2356

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 3030

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 3030 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CROP DAMAGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to research, monitor, survey, and analyze the status of the Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian moorhen, Hawaiian nene goose, Hawaiian stilt, and Hawaiian duck with respect to their interaction with agricultural practice and publish the results annually on the department's website.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hunting, Farming, and Fishing Association; Hawaii Hunting Association; and five individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Animal Rights Hawai‘i, and Conservation Council for Hawai‘i

     Your Committee finds that damage to agricultural crops by the Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian moorhen, Hawaiian nene goose, Hawaiian stilt, and Hawaiian duck has increased in certain locations in the State and has harmed the livelihood of farmers.  Balancing agricultural productivity and the preservation of Hawaii's wildlife is critical to the economic and environmental well-being of the State, and your Committee finds that the research and analysis proposed by this measure are essential to strike the appropriate economic and environmental balance.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050 to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3030, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3030, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair