HB 1337: RELATING TO ENDEMIC PLANTS.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ENDEMIC PLANTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that seed banks are one of the most prevalent and practical approaches to the conservation of resources for habitat restoration and are important in preserving plant biodiversity.  Endemic seed banking has become increasingly important as over one-half of Hawaii's native flora are at risk of extirpation or extinction due to human impacts.  The legislature therefore finds that this Act is an issue of statewide concern.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resilience to establish an endemic plant seed bank pilot program to preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resilience shall establish an endemic plant seed bank pilot program.

     (b)  The pilot program shall focus on the development of a seed bank to preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to Hawaii.

     (c)  The university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resilience shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     (d)  The pilot program shall end on June 30, 2027.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience; Endemic Plants; Seed Bank; Pilot Program

Description:

Requires the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish an endemic plant seed bank pilot program to preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to Hawaii.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to ENDEMIC plants.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that seed banks are one of the most prevalent and practical approaches to the conservation of resources for habitat restoration and are important in preserving plant biodiversity.  Endemic seed banking has become increasingly important as over one-half of Hawaii's native flora are at risk of extirpation or extinction due to human impacts.  The legislature therefore finds that this Act is an issue of statewide concern.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The university of Hawaii shall establish an endemic plant seed bank pilot program.

     (b)  The pilot program shall focus on the development of a seed bank to preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to Hawaii.

     (c)  The university of Hawaii shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     (d)  The pilot program shall end on June 30, 2027.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Endemic Plants; Seed Bank; Pilot Program

Description:

Requires the University of Hawaii to establish an endemic plant seed bank pilot program to preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to Hawaii.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1111

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1337

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1337, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENDEMIC PLANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish an Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and six individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1337, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  612

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1337

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1337, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENDEMIC PLANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) to establish an Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Big Island Invasive Species Committee; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that CTAHR currently has a small seed production program focused exclusively on agriculturally important crop varieties.  Your Committee further finds that CTAHR has the land and expertise to produce the endemic plant seeds through the Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program as required by this measure.  Your Committee believes that the Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program is an important initiative that will preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to the State.

     Your Committee notes that CTAHR estimates the cost to start the Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program will be approximately $6,000,000.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1337, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  193

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1337

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1337 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENDEMIC PLANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii to establish an Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program to preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System.

     Your Committee finds that seed banks play a vital role in conserving plant biodiversity and supporting habitat restoration, particularly for Hawaii's native flora, which face significant threats from human activity.  With over half of the State's endemic plant species at risk of extinction, proactive preservation efforts are critical.  By requiring the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish an Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program, this measure provides safeguards to protect these species and promote their propagation across the State.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifically directing the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish an Endemic Plant Seed Bank Pilot Program;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1337, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1337, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,