STAND. COM. REP. NO. 16-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1899

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1899 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE SNAILS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to designate various snail species as official state snails based on the results of the Bishop Museum community outreach and voting process.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; The Nature Conservancy; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's land snails play a significant role in native ecosystems and Hawaiian culture. Your Committee further finds that land snails are among the most threatened of all animal groups in the world. Therefore, your Committee believes that designating certain snail species as official state snails could raise awareness of the snails' imperiled status and cultural relevance.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1899 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs,

____________________________

ADRIAN K. TAM, Chair