STAND. COM. REP. NO.  554-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2424

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2424 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to allow the Department of Agriculture to establish or participate in public-private partnerships to enhance the Department's biosecurity program and quarantine inspection process.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau.

 

     Your Committee finds that the rampant spread of invasive species in Hawaii is a threat to the State's environment and economy, and to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people.  The Department of Agriculture's biosecurity program and quarantine inspection process are at the forefront of preventing and combating the spread of invasive species in Hawaii.  Despite the importance of the biosecurity program and inspection process, the Department of Agriculture does not have adequate resources to effectively and efficiently administer these programs.  Your Committee believes that authorizing the Department of Agriculture to establish or participate in public-private partnerships to enhance the biosecurity program and quarantine inspection process will strengthen the Department's ability to collaboratively work toward the protection of the State from invasive species.

 

     Your Committee notes that neither the prior Standing Committee nor the Department of Agriculture has provided any guidance on the amount to be appropriated for the projects identified in the measure.  Should the Committee on Finance decide to hear this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it deliberate on what a sufficient amount would be for the appropriation.

 

     Your Committee amended this measure by changing the effective date from July 1, 2016, to July 1, 2112, to facilitate further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2424, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2424, H.D. 1.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair