STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 444-24
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2024
RE: H.B. No. 2672
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2672 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LITTLE FIRE ANTS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.
Your Committee finds that little fire ants are an invasive species that are spreading rapidly throughout the State. The Hawaii Ant Lab was established to address the overwhelming need for research, advice, and technical assistance to address and eradicate rapidly spreading little fire ant infestations. However, the Hawaii Ant Lab has been struggling to secure sufficient funding to continue its operations. This measure provides additional funding to support the efforts of the Hawaii Ant Lab to mitigate the effects of little fire ants in the State.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2672, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2672, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair |
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