STAND. COM. REP. NO. 812

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 Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 297, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs 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.

A concerned individual supported this measure. We Are One, Inc., opposed this measure. The Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Department of Health offered comments on this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 297, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair