HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

181

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the president of the united states and the united states congress to review federal laws pertaining to the state inspection of agricultural commodities arriving into the state of hawaii from international destinations, the export of agricultural commodities from the state of hawaii to the continental united states without inspection, and the use of airport revenues for agricultural inspections.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Islands are a unique ecosystem and environment, home to countless numbers of native plants and animals found nowhere else in the world; and

 

     WHEREAS, this unique ecosystem and environment helps to draw visitors to the Islands, supporting Hawaii's economy and financial infrastructure; and

 

     WHEREAS, the uniqueness of Hawaii ecosystems also leads to high environmental susceptibility to alien pests and invasive species; and

 

     WHEREAS, these alien pests and invasive species have already taken a toll on Hawaii's agricultural industry, natural environment, economy, and public health, and affected the quality of life of both residents and visitors alike; and

 

     WHEREAS, once established, introduced alien pests and invasive species are extremely difficult to eradicate, costing the State millions in damages and control costs; and

 

     WHEREAS, air transportation has been shown to be the route by which many alien pests and invasive species are introduced into Hawaii; and
     WHEREAS, the State does not have the current authority to inspect incoming commodities arriving from international destinations; and

 

     WHEREAS, without further mitigating efforts, alien pests and invasive species will continue to pose an extreme danger to Hawaii's agriculture, environment, economy, public health, and quality of life; and

 

     WHEREAS, increased pest infestations will considerably limit the expansion of Hawaii's agricultural industry, thereby increasing State reliance on imported food and slowing Hawaii's self-sustainability efforts; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii-grown commodities undergo rigorous inspection requirements pursuant to United States Department of Agriculture quarantine laws, as well as various stringent state laws, such as California agriculture industry laws and practices; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration has disallowed the use of airport revenue to fund the State's agricultural inspection services and facilities; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the President of the United States and the United States Congress are requested to review the impact of federal laws on the inspection of incoming international commodities into Hawaii, including a review of laws pertaining to the mandatory inspection of agricultural goods exported from Hawaii to the continental United States; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Hawaii's Congressional delegation work with the Federal Aviation Administration to allow the use of airport revenues to fund agricultural inspection services and facilities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and the members of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Agricultural Inspections; Invasive Species; Airports