STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3521

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2424

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2424, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to address issues relating to the Department of Agriculture and biosecurity.

 

     More specifically, this measure:

 

(1)  Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to establish or participate in private-public partnerships to enhance its biosecurity program and quarantine inspection process;

 

(2)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish parameters and construction requirements for biosecurity facilities; and

 

(3)  Appropriates moneys to the Department of Agriculture to complete the implementation of the biosecurity program.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Conservation Council for Hawaii, Coordinating Group on Alien Species, and Hawaii Farm Bureau.

 

     Your Committee finds that invasive species pose a significant threat to the State's economy and natural environment.  The Department of Agriculture's biosecurity program helps to prevent the damage done by invasive species; however, the program needs additional resources to maximize its effectiveness.  Your Committee believes that authorizing the Department of Agriculture to enter into or participate in public-private partnerships could lessen the cost burden faced by the State when combating invasive species and also benefit local businesses.

 

Your Committee believes that funding the biosecurity program reaffirms the State's commitment to preventing the spread of invasive species.  However, your Committee notes that a specific amount has not been provided to fund the projects identified in this measure.  Should a Conference Committee convene to hear this measure, your Committee respectfully requests the Department of Agriculture to provide guidance as to what would be a sufficient appropriation amount.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

 

     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. 2424, 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. 2424, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair