STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3113

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2622

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2622, S.D. 1, 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 control and prevent the spread of invasive species, including plants and animals, in the County of Hawaii. More specifically, this measure appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish five permanent full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) invasive species technician positions within the Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, County of Hawaii Office of the Mayor, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that invasive species negatively impact the environment and economy in the State. Your Committee further finds that this measure provides the Department of Land and Natural Resources with necessary funding to control and prevent the spread of invasive species, including miconia, that threaten the local environment, cultural practices, and economy of the County of Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

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. 2622, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2622, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair