STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3250

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2244

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2244, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE INSPECTORS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to strengthen the State's ability to monitor the import and export of plant commodities.

 

Specifically, the measure authorizes:

 

     (1)  The Department of Agriculture to establish, maintain, and enforce compliance agreements with federal or state departments of agriculture as to the import and export of plant commodities; and

 

     (2)  The assessment of fees for conducting inspections required under the compliance agreements.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the impact of invasive species on Hawaii's agriculture, environment, natural resources, public health, and economy necessitates further support for the biosecurity program under the Department of Agriculture.  This measure will allow federal and other state departments of agriculture and their respective inspectors to work cooperatively with Hawaii's agriculture inspectors on import and export programs.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2244, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2244, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair