STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1924-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.C.R. No. 178

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 S.C.R. No. 178 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE TO PROHIBIT THE INTRODUCTION OF BIOCONTROL AGENTS THAT MIGHT THREATEN ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT FORAGE GRASS SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the State to:

(1)  Prohibit the introduction of biocontrol agents that

might threaten economically important forage grass species; and

(2)  Provide for the protection of Hawaiʻi's rangelands and

important forage grass species that sustain beef cattle production through funding policies, initiatives, and directives to state agencies to incentivize livestock grazing for the management of forage grasses and other vegetation on lands managed by the State and private sector that are currently undermanaged.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Kapapala Ranch; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and four individuals. 

Your Committee received testimony in opposition from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaiʻi’s beef cattle industry is a major agricultural sector, contributing over $48,000,000 to the state economy annually through job creation, taxes, and the sale of animals and meat products, while also improving the State’s food security.  Ranchers provide vital ecosystem services such as soil stabilization, watershed capacity enhancement, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and noxious weed suppression.  Your Committee further finds that the local beef cattle industry relies on intentionally introduced forage grasses that are essential for feeding communities across the islands and providing manageable and sustainable ground cover, but these grasses are increasingly being labeled as invasive and targeted for eradication without considering the adverse impact on ranchers and their stewardship role.  This measure supports the effort to prevent the eradication of these grasses to sustain beef cattle production in the State.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 178 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair