STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1381

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 177, S.D. 1, H.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 that process through a biological aquatic risk-based framework.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State's aquaculture industry has a farm gate value of $89,600,000 -- the second-highest contribution to the economy in diversified agriculture. Your Committee further finds that Hawaii is home to some of the most unique and biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world; however, these ecosystems are highly sensitive to external influences, including the introduction of non-native aquatic species. Disease can devastate aquaculture industries and a risk-based framework and biocontainment standards are important protections for aquaculture operations and aquatic ecosystems. This measure therefore provides authority for the development of a comprehensive assessment and approval process to help prevent disease from entering aquaculture operations in the State and protect native aquatic species.

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. 177, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair