STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1926

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 42

H.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 Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 42, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING EACH COUNTY TO ESTABLISH ITS OWN BIOSECURITY PLAN THAT PRIORITIZES THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage each county to establish its own biosecurity plan that prioritizes the needs of the county and identifies proposals for legislative changes at the state and county levels to promote the county's biosecurity.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and two individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and CARES.

Your Committees find that each Hawaiian island faces unique biosecurity challenges, necessitating a localized approach in planning and response efforts. According to testimony received by your Committees, the statewide Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan ends in 2027, making the need for additional biosecurity planning even more urgent. This measure aims to help further prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species that threaten the local ecosystems, food security, and public health of the State.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 42, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair