STAND. COM. REP. NO. 302

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1220

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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1220 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to support efforts of the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources in the removal of majano anemone from Kaneohe Bay.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that analysis of survey work at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in 2023 found that Anemonnia majano, or the majano anemone, is an invasive species that was detected in Kaneohe Bay. Majano anemone are known for their rapid growth and spread throughout various substrates, aggressive competition for space, and ability to smother native species. Your Committee further finds that while the majano anemone are currently contained in Kanehoe Bay, if left unchecked they could rapidly spread and significantly degrade reef health and fish habitats, harm marine biodiversity, and disrupt vital coastal ecosystems throughout the State. This measure is intended to prevent the spread of harmful invasive species by appropriating funds to support efforts to remove majano anemone from Kaneohe Bay.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $200,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1220, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1220, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair