STAND. COM. REP. NO. 326-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2015

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 Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2015 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a pilot program within the Aina Mauna Legacy Program of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to remove and harvest gorse from Mauna Kea and develop it as a marketable product to expand economic opportunities for Native Hawaiians.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Association of Hawaiians for Hawaiian Lands, Pana‘ewa Hawaiian Home Lands Community Association, Hui Ho‘olako for Hawaiian Initiatives, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that gorse is an invasive plant species that has proven to be difficult to eradicate and is detrimental in native habitats. Your Committee further finds that a significant need exists for greater economic opportunities for Native Hawaiians. This measure will provide new economic opportunities for Native Hawaiians by establishing a pilot program within the Aina Mauna Legacy Program to remove and harvest gorse from Mauna Kea and develop it as a marketable product.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation amount to an unspecified sum;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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 Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2015, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2015, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair