STAND. COM. REP. NO. 438

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 643

H.D. 2

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. 643, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish short-term management initiatives for the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Program; and

(2) Appropriate funds to support the Program's activities and positions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; University of Hawaiʻi at Manoā College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience; Hawaii Invasive Species Council; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauaʻi; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that the coconut rhinoceros beetle is a significant pest that poses a significant threat to Hawaii's agricultural landscape, particularly its coconut and palm populations. In response, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Program was established to combat the growing population of coconut rhinoceros beetles. Your Committee believes that establishing short-term management initiatives for the Program is essential in protecting farms and natural resources in the State from this invasive species. Additionally, further funding for the Program will enable the implementation of immediate actions to manage and mitigate coconut rhinoceros beetles.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language establishing standards for the distribution of the funds appropriated to subsidize canopy treatment for residential palm owners;

(2) Amending the preamble to declare that the management of coconut rhinoceros beetles is a matter of statewide concern; 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 Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 643, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 643, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair