STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1675

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 237

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 237, H.D. 2, 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 appropriate funds to mitigate and control the two-lined spittlebug.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Maui Cattlemen's Association; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Local Food Coalition; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Rocker G. Livestock; Haleakala Ranch; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Ulupono Initiative; and six individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Big Island Invasive Species Committee.

Your Committee finds that the mitigation and control efforts supported by this measure will help reduce the negative impacts of the two-lined spittlebug on the State's agriculture, environment, and economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the estimated value of the State's livestock industry to an unspecified sum;

(2) Changing the appropriation amount to an unspecified sum; and

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, 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 H.B. No. 237, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 237, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair