STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1240
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 746
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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 746, S.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition; Hawaiʻi Forest Industry Association; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.
Your Committee finds that the coconut
rhinoceros beetle is one of the most destructive invasive species threatening
Hawaii's agriculture, environment, and cultural resources. The coconut rhinoceros beetle has since spread
across Oahu and to Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island, causing severe damage to
coconut, royal, date, and fan palms, as well as other crops such as taro,
banana, pineapple, and sugarcane. To
combat this growing threat, this measure establishes a two-year, Coconut Rhinoceros
Beetle Eradication Pilot Program under the Department of Land and Natural
Resources, encouraging public participation in government-led eradication
efforts to protect Hawaii's natural and cultural landscapes.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Eradication Pilot Program shall only be conducted in areas where there are established infestations of coconut rhinoceros beetles within counties with a population of five hundred thousand or more;
(2) Clarifying language to ensure that community members are compensated for the collection and submission of coconut rhinoceros beetles and larvae that are captured and not bred;
(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
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. 746, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 746, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair |
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