STAND. COM. REP. NO. -24
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR15 ,2024
RE: S.C.R. No. 191
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. 191 entitled:
“SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE TO ADOPT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 4-72,
HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES, THAT PROVIDE IMPORTANT
AUTHORITIES FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF
INSECTS, DISEASES, AND OTHER INVASIVE PESTS WITHIN THE
STATE,”
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the
Department of Agriculture to adopt proposed amendments to chapter
4-72, Hawaii Administrative Rules, that provide important
authorities for the Department of Agriculture to prevent the
spread of insects, diseases, and other invasive pests within the
State.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Coordinating
Group on Alien Pest Species; and one individual.
Your Committee received comments from the Department of
Agriculture.
Your Committee finds the Department of Agriculture has the
sole authority to quarantine or prevent the movement of invasive
SCR191 HSCR AGR
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 STAND. COM. REP. NOj~ D1_24
Page 2
pests or infested materials within the State, and all other state
departments, county governments, industries, and the public rely
on the Department to prevent the spread of these pests. The
proposed amendments to chapter 4-72, Hawaii Administrative Rules,
provide important authorities for the Department to prevent and
slow the spread of high-impact invasive pests, such as coconut
rhinoceros beetle, coqui frog, and little fire ants, and clarify
the Department’s authority to stop the sale of pest-infested
merchandise directly to the public. Your Committee further finds
that adopting these amendments is urgently needed to address the
rapid spread of invasive pests within the State and protect
Hawai’i’s agricultural industries, natural resources, consumers,
and the public.
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. 191 and recommends that it be referred to your
Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Agriculture & od
Systems,
CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair
SCR191 HSCR AGR
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 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives
The Thirty-second Legislature f~($~’~. (~ ~ ii
Record of Votes of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems
Bill/Resolution No.: Committee Referral: Date:
~ A~R1 LP~
D The committee is reconsidering its previous decision on the measure.
The recommendation is to: ~(~ss, unamended (as is) D 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)
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2. KAHALOA, Kirstin (VC)
—
3. COCHRAN, Elle
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4. LOWEN, Nicole E.
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5. PERRUSO, Amy A.
— ~
6. WOODSON, Justin H.
j~
7. WARD, Gene
TOTAL (7) c~~f 3
The recommendation is: ~“~dopted U Not Adopted
If joint referral, did not support recommendation.
committee acronym(s)
Vice Chair’s or designee’s signature: ~ ~
Distribution: Original (White) — Committee Duplicate (Yellow) — Chief Clerks Office Duplicate (Pink) — HMSO