STAND. COM. REP. NO. 334

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 772

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 772 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to provide assistance to and collaborate with the National Wildlife Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture to:

 

     (1)  Complete the research study on the rose-ringed parakeet on the island of Kauai and related research; and

 

     (2)  Develop and implement programs to reduce the negative impacts of the rose-ringed parakeet on the island of Kauai.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Kauai Invasive Species Committee, Kauai County Farm Bureau, Dow Agroscience, and six individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Animal Rights Hawaii, Save an Animal, and one individual.

 

     Your Committees find that the rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri, native to Africa and India, is considered to be one of the most significant agricultural pests of important food crops.  The National Wildlife Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture estimated there were more than two thousand rose-ringed parakeets on Kauai as of 2011 and concluded that these birds are probably dispersing invasive plant species, including lilikoi and strawberry and yellow guava; possibly destroying native seeds, including koa; and potentially competing with native birds for fruits, seeds, and nesting sites.  Additionally, the parakeets are damaging and reducing the yield of many crops, including lychee, longan, and rambutan.  Your Committees find that additional research is needed for the development and preliminary implementation of an effective control plan for rose-ringed parakeets on Kauai.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 772 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment,

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair