Committee approves coconut natural-management tax credit with technical and staffing additions

The House Economic Development Committee recommended passage of SP2925 HD1 (a tax credit for natural management of a coconut pest) on March 25 after Department of Agriculture and DLNR representatives provided comments and signaled support.

Esther Reichert of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity stood on written testimony offering comments; Heather McMillan of DLNR also stood on written testimony in support and said she was available for questions about forestry aspects of the measure. The chair recommended adding Department of Agriculture staffing to cover regulatory responsibilities and proposed technical amendments for clarity and consistency.

Committee action: the panel voted to pass SP2925 with the chair’s recommended amendments (staffing and technical edits) and then adjourned the hearing.