STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3066
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.B. No. 2619
H.D. 1
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. 2619, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The
purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate an unspecified amount of funds
for the biosecurity program of the Department of Agriculture to develop and
implement projects for clean plant material, agricultural treatments,
diagnostics, and pest management.
Your Committee
received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of
Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of the Mayor of
the County of Maui; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Maui County Farm
Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers
Union United; Ulupono Initiative; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii;
Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ka ʻOhana O Na
Pua; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Hawaiʻi Forest
Industry Association; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics
Association; and six individuals.
Your Committee finds
that the entry and establishment of a new, devastating pest or disease is an
ever-present reality, given the increase and expansion of global trade and
travel. Your Committee further finds
that the State's biosecurity program established by the Department of
Agriculture is vital to prevent and manage invasive species from entering and
spreading throughout the State. This
measure will provide necessary resources for the Department of Agriculture to
build local capacity and execute operations to effectively protect the fragile
environment of the State's island communities against invasive species on
multiple fronts.
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. 2619, H.D. 1, 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 |
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