STAND. COM. REP. NO. 160

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 652

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 652 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Agriculture for the control and mitigation of two-lined spittlebug populations in Hawaii and recovery efforts for lands damaged.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture; University of Hawai‘i System; McCandless Ranch; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Ulupono Initiative; Maui County Farm Bureau; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Parker Ranch; Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association; and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that two-lined spittlebug infestations in Hawaii have been shown to dramatically reduce the forage quantity and quality of field pastures. High densities of the two-lined spittlebug can result in almost one hundred percent dieback of pasture grasses that are crucial resources for the grazing of livestock. Your Committee further finds that the prevalence of the two-lined spittlebug is spreading rapidly, threatening economic sustainability in Hawaii's livestock industry, and inhibiting the island's communities through decreased revenues and the hampering of food security in the State. This measure appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for the control and mitigation of the two-lined spittlebug and to fund recovery efforts of lands damaged by 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 S.B. No. 652 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