STAND. COM. REP. NO. 123-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1922

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. 1922 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for efforts to substantially reduce and eradicate the problem of invasive species in the County of Maui.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Office of Economic Development of the County of Maui, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawaii Coffee Association, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, two members of the Maui County Council, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that invasive species can wreak havoc on the State's fragile ecosystem, environment, and agricultural lands. Your Committee further finds that because of interstate commerce and inter-island transportation of plants, there is a particular problem with invasive species in the County of Maui. This measure will address the issue of invasive species in the County of Maui by appropriating funds to support efforts to substantially reduce and eradicate the problem of invasive species in the County of Maui.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

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. 1922, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1922, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair