STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1168

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1237

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 Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1237, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural biosecurity and the prevention, detection, and control of invasive species in Maui County.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Maui Invasive Species Committee, Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee, University of Hawaiʻi System, Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui, one member of the Maui County Council, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Mālama Learning Center, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, and seventeen individuals.

Your Committee recognizes that the jurisdiction of Maui County covers three islands: Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Your Committee finds that the Molokai lacks a quarantine facility, there is no island invasive species committee on Lanai, and both islands historically have not had dedicated state agricultural inspectors. Your Committee further recognizes that the cost of controlling invasive species after they become established is significantly higher than the cost of prevention and early intervention. According to testimony received by your Committee, to date, pests, such as the little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog have not been detected on Molokai or Lanai, making prevention efforts all the more urgent. This measure aims to safeguard local agriculture and also preserve the environment of the islands in Maui County as repositories for native species and agricultural biodiversity.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 H.B. No. 1237, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1237, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair