STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3278

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2061

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2061, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY SPECIAL FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to add new sources of revenue generated by the State Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Disease Control Branch to fund the Animal Industry Special Fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Disease Control Branch functions as an important regulatory body for Hawaii's crucial livestock industry. Importantly, the Branch charges fees for diagnostic and surveillance services, which can serve as a source of revenue for the Animal Industry Special Fund. This measure adds fee-based revenues from the State Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Disease Control Branch as a source of funding for the Animal Industry Special Fund.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2061, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair