STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2299

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2908

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 S.B. No. 2908 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PLANT QUARANTINE BRANCH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to expand state-run quarantine facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture's plant quarantine branch.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Coffee Association; Hawaii Coffee Growers Association; Kauai Coffee Company, LLC; Maui Coffee Association; Rusty's Hawaiian, LLC; Island Sun Coffee; Growing Together Edible Landscaping; Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council; and six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the rapid response to newly detected invasive species can prevent the species from becoming firmly established. However, state resources must also be deployed to combat invasive species already established in the State. The Department of Agriculture requires access to greater resources to fulfill its dual mandate to prevent and combat invasive species in the State. This measure assists the Department of Agriculture by appropriating funds to expand state-run quarantine facilities.

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 S.B. No. 2908 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