STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1940

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 652

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 652, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture to:

(1) Mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug, take measures to reduce the population of two-lined spittlebugs, and undertake recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two-lined spittlebug; and

(2) Establish a five-year pilot program to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and pigs throughout the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Puna Flower Power; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Kualoa Ranch; Ulupono Initiative; Volcano Isle Fruit Co, Inc.; and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; University of Hawai‘i System; Department of Agriculture; McCandless Ranch; Ponoholo Ranch; Kealia Ranch; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Cattleman's Council; Big Island Invasive Special Committee; and three individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 652, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair