STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 15 2024
RE: S.C.R. No. 192
S.D. 1
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. 192, S.D. 1, entitled:
“SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE
AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE PLANT PEST
CONTROL BRANCH AND PLANT QUARANTINE BRANCH WITHIN THE PLANT
INDUSTRY DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,”
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Conduct a performance audit of the Plant Pest Control
and Plant Quarantine Branches of the Department of
Agriculture’s Plant Industry Division; and
(2) Submit a report of their findings and recommendations to
the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2025.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Agriculture.
Your Committee received comments the Office of the Auditor.
Your Committee finds that the establishment and spread of
invasive species is harmful to Hawai~i’s agriculture, native biota,
public health, and economic well—being. The Plant Industry
SCR192 501 HSCR AGR
 STAND. CON. REP. No.1db -24
Page 2
Division of the Department of Agriculture, which includes the
Plant Quarantine Branch, Pesticides Branch, and Plant Pest Control
Branch, is responsible for delivering the State’s mandated
biosecurity program and controlling or eradicating pests that
could cause significant damage. Your Committee further finds that
the Department of Agriculture has failed to produce the required
annual report on the biosecurity program to the Thirty-Second
Legislature, and previous audits have found deficiencies in the
Plant Quarantine Branch’s data gathering, data analysis, and
organizational framework, as well as the utilization of its staff
and operational capacity by the Plant Pest ConLroi Branch. The
performance audit requested in this measure will provide the
information necessary for decision—makers to strengthen the
State’s biosecurity system and mitigate risks associated with
invasive species.
Your Committee notes the increasing urgency to address
biosecurity needs for the state and the importance of a holistic
approach to a recommended audit relating to biosecurity in
Hawai’i.
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. 192, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your
Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Agriculture & Food
Systems,
CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, ir
SCR192 SD1 HSCR AGR
 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives
The Thirty-second Legislature ks t~’R~ I f bL ~
Record of Votes of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems
BilhlResolution No.: Committee Referral: Date:
~LR~12 ~PI ~ FIN
C The committee is reconsidering its pr ious decision on the measure.
The recommendation is to: Pass, 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.
r
5. PERRUSO, Amy A.
6. WOODSON, Justin H.
7. WARD, Gene
TOTAL (7) L1t
The recommendation is: ~~~Adopted ~ Not Adopted
, If joint referral, did not support recommendation.
committee acronym(s)
Vice Chair’s or designee’s signature: ~—E?.~~.—--
Distribution: Original (White) — Committee Duplicate (Yellow) — Chief Clerk’s Office Duplicate (Pink) — HMSO