STAND. COM. REP. NO. 637

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 775

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 775 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture for permanent positions in agricultural biosecurity established by Act 231, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Maui County Farm Bureau; Carol Kwan Consulting, LLC; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that invasive species pose a persistent and escalating threat to Hawaii's agriculture, environment, and economy. Act 231, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, marked a significant step in strengthening the State's biosecurity infrastructure by increasing funding for essential programs and authorizing the hiring of forty-four essential positions within the Department of Agriculture. However, to ensure long-term effectiveness, these programs and positions must be made permanent. This measure addresses that need, ensuring that Hawaii remains resilient against invasive species.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to include unspecified amounts of funding for the following biosecurity programs within the Department of Agriculture: Risk Assessment, Pest Management Systems Approach, Brown Tree Snake Rapid Response, Pest Diagnostics, Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response, Green Waste, Compost Reimbursement, Public Awareness Campaign, Little Fire Ants Response, Coqui Frog Response, Invasive Species Outreach, Tech Upgrades, Import Replacement Fund, Biosecurity Facility Planning, Rose-Ringed Parakeet, and Two-Lined Spittlebug;

(2) Inserting an appropriation amount to support the program and necessary personnel;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) 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 Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 775, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 775, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair