STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
MAR 2 0 2025
RE; S.C.R. No. 91
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was
referred S.C.R. No. 91 entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO
ADVANCE LEGISLATION TkND SUPPORT POLICIES THAT SAFEGUARD
INDIVIDUALS IN THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY, THEIR FAMILIES,
THEIR LIVESTOCK 7\ND OTHER PROPERTY, TUSTD OTHER INDIVIDUALS
UNDER THEIR EMPLOYMENT OR CARE BY TkMENDING THE STATE' S
SELF-DEFENSE LAWS TO DEPRIORITIZE THE DUTY TO RETREAT IN
CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate
funds to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural
biosecurity and the prevention, detection, and control of invasive
species in Maui County.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Agriculture University of Hawai‘i System,
Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Maui Invasive Species Committee,
Molokai Subcommittee of the Maui Invasive Species Committee,
Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui, one member of the Maui
County Council, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Coordinating Group on Alien
Pest Species, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Malama Learning Center,
Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, and seventeen individuals.
Your Committee recognizes that the jurisdiction of Maui
County covers three islands: Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Your
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Committee finds that Molokai lacks a quarantine facility, there is
no island invasive species committee on Lanai, and both islands
historically have not had dedicated state agricultural inspectors.
Your Committee further recognizes that the cost of controlling
invasive species after they become established is significantly
higher than the cost of prevention and early intervention.
According to testimony received by your Committee, pests such as
the little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog
have not yet been detected on Molokai or Lanai, making prevention
efforts all the more urgent. This measure aims to safeguard local
agriculture and also preserve the environment of the islands in
Maui County as repositories for native species and agricultural
biodiversity.
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
S.C.R. No. 91 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee
on Judiciary.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Agriculture and
Environment ,
MIKE GABBARD, Chair
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 The Senate
Thirty-Third Legislature
State of Hawai‘i
Record of Votes
Committee on Agriculture and Environment
AEN
Bill / Resolution No.;* Committee Referral: Date:
SCVsO\\ 1 J Pc 02-17-2.5
The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to:________________________________________________
/
The F^commendation is:
'V 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
Recommendation:
TOTAL
4
Adopted __ Not Adopted
Chair’s or Designee’s Signati
MJ a I/
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: 12/09/24