STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1762

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.C.R. No. 234

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 234, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO EXPAND ITS QUARANTINE FACILITIES OF THE PLANT QUARANTINE BRANCH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Agriculture to expand the quarantine facilities of the Plant Quarantine Branch.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two members of the Hawaii County Council and Hawaii Coffee Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that expanded plant quarantine facilities are needed for the Department of Agriculture to respond quickly to newly detected invasive species, which can often prevent the species from becoming firmly established, thereby saving taxpayers money in the long term and preventing significant environmental and agricultural impacts.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 234, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair