STAND. COM. REP. NO. 887

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1100

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1100, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to reclassify the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Department).

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes a Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity position;

(2) Requires the Department to establish an emergency response team to respond to biosecurity events;

(3) Authorizes the Department to establish transitional biosecurity facilities for imported items;

(4) Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to license and train biosecurity inspectors to inspect imported plants and animals;

(5) Requires inspection of various items transported interisland;

(6) Increases penalties for illegally transporting plants, animals, and microorganisms;

(7) Requires the Department to establish public-private agreements to detect and respond to unwanted organisms in Hawaii;

(8) Authorizes pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests;

(9) Transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity;

(10) Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to establish and enforce the Plant Care Component Program and assess administrative penalties for the enforcement of the program; and

(11) Appropriates moneys.

Your Committees received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and four individuals.

Your Committees received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Harbors Users Group, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and numerous individuals.

Your Committees received written comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, University of Hawaii System, CGAPS—Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Kauai Invasive Species Committee, Pest Control Board, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and three individuals.

Your Committees find that invasive species and other biosecurity hazards pose a significant threat to the State. Accordingly, this measure provides a comprehensive framework for biosecurity measures to address these threats and protect the State.

Having received prior concurrence from the previous subject‑matter committee chairs, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Mandating, rather than authorizing Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity inspectors to perform certain inspection, determination, and disposal duties;

(2) Adding a new section requiring the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and other contracted parties to post an invasive species dashboard for treatment areas no later than December 1, 2025; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1100, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1100, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair