STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1331

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1546

H.D. 1

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 Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1546, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to develop a plan for the statewide eradication of mosquitos.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that mosquitos are considered vectors of diseases that negatively affect humans and wildlife. Without sufficient eradication efforts, mosquito-borne disease such as dengue fever and Zika virus are likely to become established in Hawaii.

Your Committee further finds that mosquito eradication techniques have been developed and tested in multiple mosquito-affected regions of the world. Locally, the University of Hawaii, in partnership with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, have researched mosquito control technologies that could potentially benefit native wildlife and human health in Hawaii. This measure would provide additional resources for the University of Hawaii to continue its work to eradicate mosquitoes from Hawaii to protect public health and native species in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the appropriated funds are prohibited from being used for travel expenses; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1546, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1546, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair