STAND. COM. REP. NO.  694

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.B. No. 437

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 437, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCE GOALS OF THE ALOHA+ CHALLENGE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to support the natural resources management goals of the State by recognizing the target goals of the Aloha+ Challenge and appropriating funds for:

 

(1)  Projects undertaken in accordance with watershed management plans;

 

(2)  Projects that prevent and mitigate invasive species infestations in the State;

 

(3)  Equipment for fire, natural disaster, and emergency response; and

 

(4)  Sustainability and improvement of public lands, including restoration of forests and other areas that promote outdoor recreation.

 

     The Conservation Council for Hawaii, County of Kauai Department of Water, Kauai Watershed Alliance, Hanalei Watershed Hui, Nature Conservancy, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Green Growth, West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership, Oahu Invasive Species Council, Kauai Invasive Species Council, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Puu Kukui Watershed Preserve, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Pono Project LLC, and several concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 437, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair