STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1221

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

 

RE:   S.B. No. 177

      S.D. 1

      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 S.B. No. 177, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Authorize the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture to adopt, amend, and repeal rules to develop an assessment and approval process to import and move aquatic livestock in the State; and

 

     (2)  Require and appropriate funds for the Division of Animal Industry to develop a biological aquatic risk-based framework and biocontainment standards for the aquatic livestock assessment and approval process.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Taylor Shellfish Company; and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Animal Rights Hawaiʻi.  

 

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's aquaculture industry is a vital component of the State's diversified agricultural economy, contributing to local food production and economic sustainability.  However, Hawaii's unique and biodiverse marine ecosystems are highly vulnerable to external threats, including the introduction of non-native aquatic species that may disrupt native habitats and local fisheries.  This measure strengthens environmental protections by authorizing the development of a comprehensive assessment and approval process for aquaculture operations, ensuring sustainability, biosecurity, and responsible growth in the industry while safeguarding Hawaii's natural resources.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

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

 

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

 

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $1,000,000 for the Animal Industry Division to develop the biological aquatic risk-based framework.

 

     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 S.B. No. 177, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 177, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair