STAND. COM. REP. NO. 612

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 Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1337, H.D. 1, 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 at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) to establish an Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that CTAHR currently has a small seed production program focused exclusively on agriculturally important crop varieties. Your Committee further finds that CTAHR has the land and expertise to produce the endemic plant seeds through the Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program as required by this measure. Your Committee believes that the Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program is an important initiative that will preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to the State.

Your Committee notes that CTAHR estimates the cost to start the Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program will be approximately $6,000,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1337, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair