STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1745

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1220

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1220, H.D. 1, 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 moneys to support the efforts of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources to remove the majano anemone from Kaneohe Bay.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, University of Hawaii Systems, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Hawai`i Reef and Ocean Coalition, The Nature Conservancy, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the majano anemone severely threatens Kaneohe Bay's delicate coral reef ecosystem and poses significant risks to reef health, fish habitat, marine biodiversity, and vital ecosystem services relied upon by coastal communities in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that supporting the multi-phase removal strategy proposed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources will prevent further damage caused by the majano anemone and protect the health of the State's coral reefs and marine ecosystems.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion of the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1220, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1220, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair