STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3570

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 172

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.C.R. No. 172 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO EXPAND QUARANTINE FACILITIES ADMINISTERED BY THE PLANT QUARANTINE BRANCH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to expand quarantine facilities administered by the Plant Quarantine Branch.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Coffee Association, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that rapid detection and elimination of invasive species will save the State and its taxpayers money over the long-term. Responsibility for detecting and eliminating invasive species falls on the Plant Quarantine Branch of the Department of Agriculture. Currently, the Plant Quarantine Branch lacks sufficient capacity to respond to the State's needs. This measure requests the Department of Agriculture to expand quarantine facilities administered by the Plant Quarantine Branch.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 172 and recommends its adoption.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair