STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2991

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2263

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Transportation and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 2263, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONTROLLING INVASIVE SPECIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the invasive species inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund to prevent importation of invasive species, and to appropriate funds.

The Department of Agriculture, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Maui County Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, the Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, C & H Farms, the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Young Brothers Limited, and Meadow Gold Dairies submitted testimony in support of this measure. Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and its subsidiary Matson Navigation Company Inc., the Conservation Council for Hawaii, and the Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter submitted testimony in support of this measure with amendments. The Department of Budget and Finance submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committees find that increased global traffic of goods has resulted in an increased risk to Hawaii from invasive species. Insects, diseases, weeds, and other invasive species are one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of its people. Your Committees find that the State must take a more aggressive approach to controlling invasive species through various inspection, quarantine, and eradication measures.

Upon further consideration, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting its original provisions as they related to an invasive species inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund;

(2) Making an appropriation to the Department of Agriculture for the inspection, quarantine, and eradication of invasive species, including the operation of inspection and monitoring programs and facilities in the State and the execution of emergency remedial measures when invasive species are detected; and

(3) Making the measure effective on July 1, 2006.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Transportation and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2263, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2263, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Transportation and Government Operations,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

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J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair