STAND. COM. REP. NO. 937

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 177

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, 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 and intent of this measure is to clarify aquaculture industry requirements in the State.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Authorizes 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) Requires the Aquaculture Program to develop a biological aquatic risk-based framework and biocontainment standards for the aquatic livestock assessment and approval process.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Kohala Mountain Fish Company, Kowa Premium Foods Hawaii Corporation, Marine Science Learning Center at Waianae High School, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Animal Rights Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that implementing the robust assessment processes in this measure will promote responsible and sustainable growth of Hawaii's aquaculture industry, which has a significant potential for expansion. Your Committee further finds that a risk-based framework will help evaluate potential risks associated with the movement of aquatic species and better balance industry growth while minimizing negative impacts to native species and ecosystems.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 177, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair