STAND. COM. REP. NO. 871

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 643, H.D. 2, 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, including subsidies for canopy treatments for residential palm owners; 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 Agriculture; Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Mālama Kauaʻi; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; University of Hawaiʻi System; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauaʻi; and National Tropical Botanical Garden.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 643, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair