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Committee hears broad support but practical concerns on CRB biosecurity bill
Summary
Witnesses supported SB2885 SD1 to set statewide rules for handling coconut rhinoceros beetle host material but urged technical fixes—aligning the bill with Department of Health/EPA composting standards, adding erosion-control hosts, and replacing a rigid 60‑day turning requirement with performance-based treatment criteria; a member moved to defer the bill for further work.
Acting Vice Chair Matthias Kush presided over testimony on SB2885 SD1, a measure to establish mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) host material beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity representative Bridal Yu told the committee the department stands on its written testimony and supports the bill. Patrick Chi of the Department of Land and Natural Resources said the measure would help reduce CRB spread but noted that other science-backed response options exist that could be added.
Marvin Mann of Hawaiian Earth Recycling summarized written…
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