STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2405

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2359

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 S.B. No. 2359 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate an unspecified amount of funds to support the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab in mitigating the effects of little fire ants in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Pest Control Association, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee, North Shore Neighborhood Board No. 27, Ka ʻOhana O Na Pua, and five individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab was established in 2009 to address the overwhelming need for research and assistance to address and eradicate little fire ants and other invasive ants in the State. Your Committee recognizes that little fire ants have caused significant disruption and economic damage on Hawaii island and that little fire ant infestations on Oahu are currently on the rise. According to testimony received by your Committee, this measure will provide desperately needed funding for the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab to fully fund current staff and add new staff; address the short- and long-term needs to control little fire ants; develop new tools to manage more widespread infestations; and increase extension services to support severely impacted farms and industries.

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 S.B. No. 2359 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