STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2593

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3013

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 3013 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate funds to the Department of Transportation for the coordinated removal of albizia and other invasive trees; and

(2) Require matching funds from public utilities.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association, Hawaiian Electric, and one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council and Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committees find that invasive albizia trees present a threat to Hawaii due to their fragility and tendency to fall in windy, rainy, or stormy weather conditions. Your Committees further find that albizia trees can threaten public safety by blocking evacuation routes; damaging homes; downing utility lines; or impeding access to emergency care facilities, schools, and polling places after weather events like tropical storm Iselle in 2020. This measure will increase public safety and safer roadways by requiring the removal of albizia trees near public roadways and utility infrastructure.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3013 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair