REPORT TITLE:
Brown Tree Snake; Task Force


DESCRIPTION:
Creates a task force to investigate the problem of the brown tree
snake and to determine the best way to stop its entry into
Hawaii.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           521
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO THE BROWN TREE SNAKE.



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

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the brown tree snake
 
 2 remains a major environmental danger to Hawaii's ecological
 
 3 well-being.  The brown tree snake's infamous reputation of
 
 4 destroying bird populations, attacking small children, and
 
 5 generally wreaking havoc over the environment is well-documented.
 
 6 Despite efforts to prevent its entry, a few have made their way
 
 7 to Hawaii, but fortunately, were captured.  The purpose of this
 
 8 Act is to convene a task force to determine the best way to stop
 
 9 the entry of brown tree snakes into Hawaii.
 
10      SECTION 2.  There is established a brown tree snake task
 
11 force within the department of agriculture, and shall consist of
 
12 the following members:
 
13      (1)  The chairperson of the board of agriculture, who shall
 
14           serve as the chairperson of the task force;
 
15      (2)  The U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Commander
 
16           in Chief of the Pacific shall be requested to send
 
17           representatives;
 
18      (3)  A representative from the environmental community as
 
19           designated by the chair of the board of agriculture;
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           521
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1           and
 
 2      (4)  Any other person designated by the chair of the board
 
 3           of agriculture.
 
 4      SECTION 3.  The task force shall investigate the following
 
 5 issues:
 
 6      (1)  Entry points of the brown tree snake into the State;
 
 7      (2)  Administrative or bureaucratic obstacles that hamper
 
 8           efforts to prevent the snakes' entry;
 
 9      (3)  Stopping the transport of the snakes before they get to
 
10           Hawaii;
 
11      (4)  The appropriateness of federal regulation; and
 
12      (5)  Any other issue the task force deems worthy of
 
13           investigation.
 
14      SECTION 4. The task force shall submit findings,
 
15 recommendations, and any implementing draft legislation, if
 
16 appropriate, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior
 
17 to the convening of the regular session of 2000.
 
18      SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
19 
 
20                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________