STAND. COM. REP. NO. 926

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1150

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1150, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to allow the Department of Agriculture to develop an effective control plan for reducing the State's population of feral pigs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that feral pigs can have a devastating impact on farmers statewide, causing crop loss, damaging irrigation systems, and creating niche spaces for other non-native species. The allotted funds will allow the Department of Agriculture to work with the community to develop effective measures to control feral pig populations and mitigate their impact.

Your Committee notes that an appropriation of $1,000,000 for each year of the fiscal biennium is necessary to achieve the intent of this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the amounts appropriated to unspecified amounts;

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

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style;

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1150, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1150, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair