STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2336

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2622

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2622 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife for invasive species technician positions in the county of Hawaii to address invasive plants and animals.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, County of Hawai‘i, Coral Fish Hawaii, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, and the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that the invasion of Hawaii by insects, disease-bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other pests is the single greatest threat to Hawaii's economy and natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people. Your Committee further finds that despite many successes, mitigation of invasive species threats and impacts is an ongoing process that requires resources. This measure will establish invasive species technician positions in the county of Hawaii, which will mitigate the impact of invasive species on the island and will help protect the island's environment and overall health, culture, and economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2033, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2622, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2622, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

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KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair