STAND. COM. REP. NO. 273

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 297

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 297 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOSQUITO VECTOR CONTROL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to investigate potential innovative vector control programs by:

(1) Directing the Department of Agriculture to review the Aedes aegypti (A. aegypti) mosquito with Wolbachia bacteria and render a determination for placement of the mosquito on the appropriate animal import list; and

(2) Directing the Departments of Agriculture and Health to collaborate on a report to the legislature that includes recommendations regarding the importation of the A. aegypti mosquito with Wolbachia bacteria and recommendations for appropriate vector control programs.

The O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that review and a determination of placement of the mosquito on the appropriate animal import list is to be performed by the Department of Agriculture, rather than the Department of Health; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050 to promote further discussion.

Your Committees note that Section 150A-6.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, currently allows entities such as the University of Hawaii to import an unlisted organism, such as A. aegypti, on a case-by-case basis for the purpose of conducting scientific research, and that such import is done in a manner where A. aegypti will not be detrimental to agriculture, the environment, or humans, provided the importer can meet permit requirements as determined by the Board of Agriculture.

Your Committees further note that the Vinegar Fly, Drosophila melanogaster, which is already on the import list, has shown to be an alternative host to the Wolbachia bacteria.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 297, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 297, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Agriculture,

____________________________ RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair

____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair