STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3g2.5
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 1 5 2024
RE: H.C.R. No. 189
H.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was
referred H.C.R. No. 189, H.D. 1, entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE TO PROHIBIT THE
INTRODUCTION OF BIOCONTROL AGENTS THAT MIGHT THREATEN
ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT FORAGE GRASS SPECIES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Urge the State to prohibit the introduction of
biocontrol agents that might threaten economically
important forage grass species;
(2) Request the State to consider a holistic approach to
address wildfire risk by prioritizing fuel reduction of
unmanaged lands that can utilize a variety of tools
including grazing, creation of fire buffers, mechanical
controls, and the consideration of the use of applicable
strategies for landscape level control, so long that it
takes into consideration economic and ecological
implications as well as potential impacts to critical
industries; and
(3) Urge the State to provide for the protection of Hawaii's
rangelands and important forage grass species that
sustain beef cattle production through funding policies.
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initiatives, and directives to state agencies to
incentivize livestock grazing for the management of
forage grasses and other vegetation on lands managed by
the State and private sector that are currently
undermanaged .
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council,
Inc.; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Kealia Ranch
LLC; and five individuals.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this
measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources .
Your Committee received comments on this measure from one
individual.
Your Committee finds that many forage grass species support
livestock production and provide important manageable and
sustainable ground cover for the State's rangelands, thereby
minimizing bare soil and erosion, maximizing water infiltration,
improving soil health, and decreasing the spread of noxious weeds.
This measure aims to protect local livestock production and manage
the environment of the State by preventing the eradication of
these important forage grasses species.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this
report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of
H.C.R. No. 189, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Agriculture and
Environment,
MIKE GABBARD, Chair
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 The Senate
Thirty-Second Legislature
State of Hawai‘i
Record of Votes
Committee on Agriculture and Environment
AEN
Bill / Resolution No.:* Committee Referral: Date:
04/10/2/4
__ The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to: ________________________________________________
The R^ommendation is:
Pass, unamended Pass, with amendments __ Hold __ Recommit
/ 2312 2311 2310 2313
Members Aye Aye (WR) Nay Excused
GABBARD, Mike (C)
RICHARDS, III, Herbert M. “Tim” (VC)
DECOITE, Lynn
RHOADS, Karl
AWA, Brenton
TOTAL 0 f J
Recommendation: >
Adopted __ Not Adopted
Chair’s or^De^^^e^s^^^^ture___^^
Distribution; Original Yellow Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report Clerk's Office Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
*Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised: 12/27/23