STAND. 0CM. REP. NO. (~‘~_24
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR15 , 2024
RE: S.C.R. No. 178
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty—Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was
referred S.C.R. No. 178 entitled:
“SENATE 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 urge the State
to:
(1) Prohibit the introduction of biocontrol agents that
might threaten economically important forage grass
species; and
(2) Provide for the protection of Hawai~i’s rangelands and
important forage grass species that sustain beef cattle
production through funding policies, 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; Kapapala Ranch; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC;
and four individuals.
SCR178 }-ISCR AGR
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 STAND. CON. REP. NO. -24
Page 2
Your Committee received testimony in opposition from the
Department of Land and Natural Resources and three individuals.
Your Committee finds that Rawai’i’s beef cattle industry is a
major agricultural sector, contributing over $48,000,000 to the
state economy annually through job creation, taxes, and the sale
of animals and meat products, while also improving the State’s
food security. Ranchers provide vital ecosystem services such as
soil stabilization, watershed capacity enhancement, carbon
sequestration, nutrient cycling, and noxious weed
suppression. Your Committee further finds that the local beef
cattle industry relies on intentionally introduced forage grasses
that are essential for feeding communities across the islands and
providing manageable and sustainable ground cover, but these
grasses are increasingly being labeled as invasive and targeted
for eradication without considering the adverse impact on ranchers
and their stewardship role. This measure supports the effort to
prevent the eradication of these grasses to sustain beef cattle
production in the State.
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
S.C.R. No. 178 and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Agriculture & Food
S y St
CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair
SCR178 HSCR AGR
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 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives
The Thirty-second Legislature
14~C.R )~2L1 ~ Z’f
Record of Votes of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems
Bill/Resolution No.: Committee Referral: Date:
~~76
D The committee is reconsidering its previous decision on the measure.
The recommendation is to: U’ass, unamended (as is) C Pass, with amendments (HD) C Hold
C Pass short form bill with HD to recommit for future public hearing (recommit)
AGR Members Ayes Ayes (WR) Nays Excused
1. GATES, Cedric Asuega (C)
2. KAHALOA, Kirstin (VC)
3. COCHRAN, Elle
4. LOWEN, Nicole E.
5. PERRUSO, Amy A.
6. WOODSON, Justin H.
7. WARD, Gene
TOTAL (7) ~. s
The recommendation is: ~~~opted ~ Not Adopted
If joint referral, did not support recommendation.
committee acronym(s)
Vice Chair’s or designee’s signature:
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Distribution: Original (White) — Committee Duplicate (Yellow) — Chief Clerks Office Duplicate (Pink) — HMSO