STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1237

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1427

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 Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1427, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AVIAN INFLUENZA,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture to prevent, monitor, and respond to avian influenza in the State.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; State Health Planning and Development Agency; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and four individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaii Patriot Republicans, Hawaiʻi Christian Coalition, and numerous individuals.

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Your Committees find that H5 avian influenza viruses, also referred to as bird flu, include the H5N1 subtype of bird flu virus that has spread globally in birds since its initial discovery in 1996 and recently has been detected in several mammal species. Your Committees further find that in November 2024, the H5N1 bird flu virus was first confirmed in Hawaii in a backyard flock of birds in central Oahu and has since been detected through wastewater testing in Hilo and on Kauai. Your Committees acknowledge that avian influenza poses significant risks not only to the State's bird populations but also to the broader agricultural and food industries that contribute to the livelihood of many residents, especially in consideration of the State's geographical isolation and unique ecosystems. This measure provides funding for robust monitoring and surveillance measures to protect the State's public health, food industry, unique wildlife, and agricultural economy.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committees note that this measure contains unspecified appropriation amounts. Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committees respectfully request that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $293,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the Department of Agriculture to carry out the purposes of this measure, including to prevent, monitor, and respond to avian influenza in the State. Your Committees further note the Department of Health's testimony that the Department's proposed budget request of $3,300,000 to $4,700,000 depending on the availability of federal funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 includes the funding needed for the monitoring of and response to avian influenza.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1427, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1427, 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 Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair