STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3294

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1721

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1721, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FERAL ANIMAL MANAGEMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture to collaborate on feral animal management; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii State Aha Moku; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Rescue Of Animal Rights; and three individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committees find that overpopulation of feral animals in Hawaii threatens the State's environment, agricultural production, and health. Proactively addressing the threat of feral animal overpopulation will save the State resources over the long-term and prevent extensive damage. This measure requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture to collaborate on feral animal management to find and implement proactive solutions to overpopulation.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1721, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair