STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2383

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2501

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2501 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to prioritize the protection of exceptional trees.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau and one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.

Your Committees find that invasive species have become one of the most devastating problems impacting the State's environment and economy. Your Committees further find that the State has a duty to enhance, whenever and wherever possible, the natural environment of the State. This measure will further safeguard trees and stands or groves of trees with historic or cultural value from destruction.

Your Committees have amended this measure by clarifying that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council shall prioritize the protection of exceptional trees from invasive species.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2501, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2501, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair