STAND. COM. REP. NO. 953

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 330

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 Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 330, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Department of Agriculture to enforce quarantines issued by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that the State's farmers and ranchers continue to face serious threats from invasive species such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, coffee berry borer, two-lined spittlebug, macadamia felted coccid, and varroa mite. These pests not only damage crops and livestock, but also increase production costs and threaten the long-term viability of local agriculture. This measure will improve the State's biosecurity by authorizing the Department of Agriculture to enforce federal quarantines. Preventing the introduction of invasive pests is far more cost-effective than attempting to control them after they have been established, and enhancing the State's ability to effectuate agricultural quarantines is crucial to maintaining local food production, supporting agricultural sustainability, and preserving the State's biodiversity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 330, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair