STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1743

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 140

S.D. 2

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 140, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the importation of firewood into the State from another state and the intrastate transportation or sale of firewood not harvested within the State unless the firewood is heat-treated or the importation, transportation, or sale is authorized by the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Ohana Unity Party; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's unique geographic isolation results in one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. Hawaii's endemic plant and animal species are already under threat from invasive pests and diseases, which pose serious risks to the delicate balance of the State's ecosystems. Your Committee further finds that the movement of untreated firewood remains an unregulated, high-risk pathway for invasive forest pests. This measure addresses a gap in the State's attempts to bolster its biosecurity efforts by requiring firewood to be heat treated.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 140, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair