STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1228

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1103

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1103, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PESTICIDE SUBSIDY PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an appropriation into and out of the pesticide use revolving fund to the Department of Agriculture to assist in eradication of the coffee berry borer through the pesticide subsidy program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, one member of the Hawai‘i County Council, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council.

Your Committee finds that invasive species are a primary threat to Hawaii's agriculture and economy. The coffee berry borer is a significant coffee pest in Hawaii and around the world. Your Committee further finds that this measure's funding will allow the Department of Agriculture to continue to support coffee farmers through the duration of the pesticide subsidy program.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation amount of $350,000 for the pesticide subsidy program;

(2) Funding the pesticide subsidy program directly through general revenues, rather than through the pesticide use revolving fund;

(3) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2019; and

(4) 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 Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1103, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1103, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair