HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2775

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the safe introduction of plants, non-domestic animals (such as fish, birds, amphibians, and insects), microorganisms, (such as algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses), and soil is managed through permits, letters of authorization, and registrations issued by the department of agriculture.

     The framework for permit and other approvals was developed with the concept that plants and domestic animals (e.g., cats, dogs, horses, sheep, and cattle) are generally considered desirable and that non-domestic animals (e.g., snakes, tigers, mosquitoes, and piranha) and microorganisms (pathogens) are generally considered undesirable.  While mindful of the potential harm that can result from these undesirable introductions, some introductions benefit the state for purposes such as scientific research, commerce, and other important state interests.

     To determine whether a plant, animal, or microorganism is safe or harmful, the department of agriculture evaluates applications based upon available information, the intended use, and the availability of adequate safeguards and protocols.  The department also evaluates the reliability of the responsible individual and the risks and benefits associated with the particular introduction.  The evaluation also requires a science-based risk assessment of scientific data with respect to the plant, animal, or microorganism, in a thorough, consistent, and logical manner.

     The department of agriculture has one permit specialist in each of the fields of plants, insects, land vertebrates, aquatic biota, and microorganisms.  Due to the current general fund budget conditions in the state, the department has incurred drastic reductions in the inspection and permitting sections.  The reinstatement of twenty-two of the plant inspection positions has temporarily postponed the termination of a portion of the permit section.  However, the inspection capacity has dropped to such a low level that the permit specialists must now perform inspections in addition to their permitting duties.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish fees for the processing of permits and other requests for the importation of plants, animals, and microorganisms into the state to provide stable funding for permit specialists and additional resources to allow more timely processing of permits.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 150A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§150A-    Processing fees for importation and possession requests.  (a)  There is imposed a fee for the processing of requests for the importation or possession of plants, animals, or microorganisms, that require a permit, letter of authorization, or registration under this chapter.  The fee shall be paid in full at the time the request is submitted.

     (b)  The fees collected under this section shall be deposited into the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund established under section 150A-4.5.

     (c)  The fee to process requests for importation and possession shall be as follows:

     (1)  $      for a permit for a single shipment of restricted plants;

     (2)  $      for a permit for unlimited shipments occurring within one year of the date of issuance, of restricted plants;

     (3)  $      for a permit for a single shipment of conditionally approved animals;

     (4)  $      for a permit for unlimited shipments occurring within one year of the date of issuance, of conditionally approved animals;

     (5)  $      for a permit for a single shipment of restricted animals that require permits for both importation and possession;

     (6)  $      for a permit for unlimited shipments occurring within one year of the date of issuance, of restricted animals that require permits for both importation and possession;

     (7)  $      for a special permit for an unlisted animal in an emergency or disaster situation or for conducting medical or scientific research;

     (8)  $      for a short-term special permit for an unlisted animal for a film production, performance, or exhibition;

     (9)  $      for a permit for plants, animals, or microorganisms, that require a rule change to change the listing of the organism to allow for its importation or possession;

    (10)  $      for a permit for a single shipment of listed or unlisted microorganisms that require permits for both importation and possession;

    (11)  $      for a permit for unlimited shipments occurring within one year of the date of issuance or within a specified calendar year, of listed or unlisted microorganisms that require permits for both importation and possession;

    (12)  $      for a letter of authorization for import of unlisted microorganisms;

    (13)  $      for an emergency permit of an unlisted microorganism or a microorganism on the list of restricted microorganisms in an emergency or disaster situation;

    (14)  $      for registration to import a microbial product; and

    (15)  $      for registration of a laboratory described in section 150A-6.3(f)(2).

     (d)  In addition to any fee under subsection (c), a fee of $       shall be charged for the expedited processing of a permit, letter of authorization, or registration application.  Expedited processing shall take no more than thirty days and shall not be available for permits for plants, animals, or microorganisms that require an amendment to the rules to change the listing of the organism to allow for importation or possession."

     SECTION 3.  Section 150A-4.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§150A-4.5  Pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund.  (a)  There is established in the state treasury the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund, into which shall be deposited:

     (1)  Legislative appropriations for inspection, quarantine, and eradication services;

     (2)  [Service fees,] Fees, charges, and penalties collected under [section] sections 150A-5.3[;] and 150A-  ;

     (3)  Federal funds received for pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication programs;

     (4)  Grants and gifts;

     (5)  All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited in the fund; and

     (6)  Any other moneys made available to the fund.

     (b)  The moneys in the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund shall be expended by the department for the operation of pest inspection, quarantine, eradication, biosecurity, and monitoring programs, related facilities, and the execution of emergency remedial measures when pests are detected in the course of inspection and quarantine activities by the department.  The department shall also expend moneys in the fund to:

     (1)  Facilitate the processing and issuance of permits;

     (2)  Amend lists of plants, animals, and other organisms prohibited or allowed for import;

     (3)  Comply with monitoring activities;

     (4)  Train personnel and provide educational workshops, materials, and equipment; and

     (5)  Accomplish any other purpose deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of part II of this chapter."

     SECTION 4.  Section 150A-6.7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

     ["§150A-6.7  Permit revolving fund.  (a)  There is established in the state treasury a revolving fund to be known as the permit revolving fund to be administered by the department.  The permit revolving fund shall consist of:

     (1)  Legislative appropriations;

     (2)  User fees as authorized by rule;

     (3)  All interest earned on or accrued to moneys deposited in the permit revolving fund;

     (4)  Grants and gifts; and

     (5)  Any other moneys made available to the permit revolving fund from other sources.

     (b)  The department shall expend moneys in the permit revolving fund to:

     (1)  Facilitate the processing and issuance of permits;

     (2)  Amend lists of creatures prohibited or allowed for import;

     (3)  Comply with monitoring activities;

     (4)  Train personnel, and provide educational workshops, materials, and equipment; and

     (5)  For any other purpose deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this part."]

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.



 

Report Title:

Department of Agriculture; Plants; Animals; Microorganisms; Fee

 

Description:

Establishes fees for processing of permits, letters, and the registration of plants, animals, and microorganisms allowed entry into the state.  Effective July 1, 2020.  (HB2775 HD2)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.