STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1644

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.C.R. No. 25

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 H.C.R. No. 25 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO INCLUDE A STATEMENT ON DESECRATION LAWS IN THE PLANT AND ANIMAL DECLARATION FORM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Department of Agriculture includes on the State of Hawaii Plant and Animal Declaration Form a section for each individual required to complete the form to acknowledge and affirm that the individual:

(1) Is aware of the existence of various federal, state, and county laws, rules and ordinances that protect public monuments and structures, including but not limited to Native Hawaiian cultural sites, burial grounds, and places of worship;

(2) Is aware of ways to learn more about those laws, rules, and ordinances; and

(3) That the individual will heed those laws, rules, and ordinances.

Your Committee received comments for this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to include that once the Akamai Arrival Program is underway that the intent of this resolution be facilitated using the program; and

(2) Inserting language acknowledging federal and state laws on protected, indigenous, endangered, and threatened wildlife; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity and consistency.

Your Committee finds that the use of the State of Hawaii Plant and Animal Declaration Form has been an effective tool for assisting various state departments with data collection, research, statistics, and monitoring. Your Committee further notes that the utilization of the State of Hawaii Plant and Animal Declaration Form to inform visitors of the various federal and state laws to protect public monuments and structures. This measure will further educate visitors arriving to Hawaii of the various laws, rules, and ordinances.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 25, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 25, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair