STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3068

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2131

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2131, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate an unspecified amount of funds for the mitigation and control of the two-lined spittlebug and for the recovery of areas affected by infestation; and

(2) Require the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature twenty days before the Regular Session of 2025.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; University of Hawaiʻi System; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Sierra Club of Hawaii; and eleven individuals.

Your Committee finds that the two-lined spittlebug threatens the State's pasture lands, emerging cattle industry, the flora in watersheds, and other natural areas critical to the environment and cultural resources of the State. According to testimony received by your Committee, the two-lined spittlebug not only damages forage grasses, but also leaves pasture land vulnerable to soil loss and other invasive weeds, such as fireweed and wild blackberry. This measure aims to protect both the ranching industry and natural areas of the State against the effects of the two-lined spittlebug by funding activities to mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug.

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 H.B. No. 2131, H.D. 2, 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