STAND. COM. REP. NO. 85

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 407

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 407 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to protect Hawaii's environment from invasive species by:

(1) Authorizing the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to charge appropriate user fees for inspections and other services related to the importation of plants, animals, and other items regulated under chapter 150A, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

(2) Establishing an Invasive Species Special Fund (Fund) to receive the user fees to be used for the costs of preventive services.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter, and Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species and the Invasive Species Committees of the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Molokai testified in support of this measure. DOA and Matson Navigation Company supported the intent of this measure.

 

Your Committee finds that Hawaii needs more resources to prevent the spread of alien plant and animal species that seriously and permanently damage the environment and ecosystem. Invasive species have already caused millions of dollars of damage and destruction, and the State needs to take a proactive approach to dedicate more resources to protecting the environment.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 407 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Agriculture.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

 

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair