STAND. COM. REP. NO.99

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 21

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 21 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PLANT AND NONDOMESTIC ANIMAL QUARANTINE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for expenses related to the creation of a quarantine enforcement section within the department of agriculture and three quarantine enforcement full-time equivalent positions.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the O'ahu Invasive Species Committee and the Hawaii Audubon Society. Your Committee received testimony opposing this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that although the Department of Agriculture (department) currently has the capability to enforce quarantine laws, the department lacks adequate resources and expertise to be truly effective in implementing and enforcing the state quarantine laws. With the funds appropriated by this measure, the department will hire personnel that will specialize in quarantine law enforcement and have the necessary resources to ensure Hawaii is safe from plants and animals that threaten the stability of Hawaii's environment.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 21 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

JAN YAGI BUEN, Chair