STAND. COM. REP. NO. 193

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1337

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1337 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENDEMIC PLANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii to establish an Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program to preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System.

Your Committee finds that seed banks play a vital role in conserving plant biodiversity and supporting habitat restoration, particularly for Hawaii's native flora, which face significant threats from human activity. With over half of the State's endemic plant species at risk of extinction, proactive preservation efforts are critical. By requiring the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish an Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program, this measure provides safeguards to protect these species and promote their propagation across the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifically directing the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish an Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1337, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1337, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.

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

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair