STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1482

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 643

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, 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 and intent of this measure is to establish short-term initiatives for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program; and appropriate moneys to support the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program's activities and positions.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; University of Hawaii; County of Maui; Office of the County Clerk, Council Services Division, County of Kauai; Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauai; Carol Kwan Consulting, LLC; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farmers Union; Ohana Unity Party & Kingdom of The Hawaiian Islands; The Nature Conservancy; Windward Coalition; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State must be protected from invasive species such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle. The beetle's damage to coconut palms and other vegetation may lead to significant economic loss, especially in agriculture and tourism, and disrupt the State's delicate ecological balance. Moneys appropriated by this Act will address and mitigate the negative impact of the coconut rhinoceros beetle's presence in Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to specify that appropriated moneys shall be expended by the Department of Agriculture on the condition that the department contracts with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at the University of Hawaii at Manoa; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 643, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 643, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair