STAND. COM. REP. NO.3020

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2212

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2212, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Hawaii invasive species council to coordinate state activities to fight invasive species.

Your Committees received testimony supporting this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committees find that Hawaii's agriculture industry is experiencing tremendous growth. However, alien invasive species are causing substantial economic and environmental damage. In the past, combating alien invasive species has consisted of a hodgepodge of uncoordinated efforts by different agencies and the results have been less than adequate. A central agency to coordinate state efforts to control invasive species is necessary.

Although this measure creates a central agency, your Committees believe the Senate version, S.B. No. 2971, S.D. 2, which is essentially similar, provides a better approach. Therefore, your Committees have amended this measure by replacing its contents with the Senate version. As amended, this measure, among other things:

(1) Establishes an administrator/coordinator position for invasive species within the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii to coordinate state efforts to combat invasive species;

(2) Provides that the administrator/coordinator be appointed by the governor subject to confirmation by the Senate;

(3) Authorizes the administrator/coordinator to appoint a local advisory body to advise and assist the administrator/coordinator;

(4) Authorizes the administrator/coordinator to appoint a lead agency for specific invasive species;

(5) Authorizes the Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Land and Natural Resources to enter public or private premises, vessels, or aircraft within the State to examine, control, or eradicate invasive species; and

(6) Designates the administrator/coordinator as the head of the emergency environmental workforce established by Act 4, Third Special Session, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001.

Your Committees find that this measure, as amended, establishes a single entity that can coordinate interagency efforts to manage and control invasive species efficiently, effectively, and successfully.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Water, Land, Energy and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2212, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2212, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Water, Land, Energy and Environment,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

____________________________

JAN YAGI BUEN, Chair