STAND. COM. REP. NO. 210-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1714

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1714 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to manage, rather than eradicate, the overpopulation of axis deer in the County of Maui by appropriating funds for management activities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; two Maui County Council members; County of Maui Office of Economic Development; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Maui County Farm Bureau; Maui Cattlemen's Association; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Parker Ranch; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that the overpopulation of axis deer has caused significant damage to farms and ranches in the County of Maui. Your Committee also finds that while the axis deer population is a serious threat to agriculture and the environment, the axis deer is a significant component to the subsistence hunting lifestyle and cultural practices of the residents of Maui. Your Committee further finds that a plan is necessary to prudently implement the reduction and management of the overpopulation of axis deer in the County of Maui.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the amount of the appropriation for axis deer management activities in the County of Maui;

(2) Inserting an appropriation to the County of Maui for preparation of a plan detailing how the County will reduce and manage the overpopulation of axis deer in the County;

(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2150, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this matter further, to consider appropriating $3,500,000 for axis deer management activities and preparation of a plan to reduce and manage the overpopulation of axis deer in the County of Maui.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1714, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1714, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair