STAND. COM. REP. NO. 102-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2305

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2305 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to study diseases affecting the production of red ginger on Oahu and the neighbor islands and to develop mitigation strategies for any identified diseases.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, East O‘ahu County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Tropical Flowers & Foliage Association, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Redwater Farm, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Budget and Finance, and University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources' scientists have been able to identify three different viruses and one fungal pathogen that are infecting ornamental ginger, a highly valued plant that can be used as a shrub or as a cut flower. Department of Agriculture scientists have also identified the presence of fourteen additional pathogens. Your Committee finds that plant viruses and pathogens are a primary threat not only to red ginger but also to other agricultural crops and species, thereby impacting Hawaii's agriculture, environment, and economy. This measure seeks to appropriate funds for research on diseases affecting the production of red ginger in the State and to mitigate the harmful spread of plant diseases affecting red ginger.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2305 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education & Technology.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair