HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1005

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the unchecked spread of invasive species is one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people.  Invasive pests can cause millions of dollars in crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, and the quarantine of exported agricultural crops.  Although Hawaii's Constitution mandates a strong agricultural policy supporting sustainability and self-sufficiency for the benefit of present and future generations, farmers and ranchers in the State face significant loss of production due to invasive pests.  Reducing these losses can significantly contribute to Hawaii's agricultural production and farm and ranch viability.

     The department of agriculture established a biosecurity program with the objective to respond effectively to eradicate, control, reduce, and suppress incipient pest populations and established pests and seize and dispose of prohibited or restricted organisms without a permit.  The biosecurity program fights invasive species via a multi-dimensional system that includes:

     (1)  Administering pre-entry measures to minimize the risk of invasive species entering the State;

     (2)  Conducting port-of-entry inspections to detect and quarantine or destroy pests upon arrival; and

     (3)  Administering post-entry measures to mitigate the establishment of pests in the State.

     Farmers and ranchers need additional tools to reduce losses from incipient pests.  The recent discovery of the coffee berry borer on Maui highlights the need for further public and industry-targeted education about the risks associated with the spread of invasive species.  Additional education along with focused technology transfer research are required to develop management practices to achieve control over the spread of incipient pests.  If control and suppression goals are not achieved, incipient pests become established and severely impact agricultural production.  Many pests chronically impact agriculture, and targeted measures are needed to reduce the impact of these established pests.  Pests such as the diamondback moth continue to challenge growers of the cabbage family decades after its introduction to the islands.

     The purpose of this Act is to reaffirm the legislature's findings that eradicating invasive pests and accompanying diseases is important to increase agricultural production in Hawaii and to appropriate moneys to enhance the biosecurity program to fight incipient invasive species.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for deposit into the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund established pursuant to section 150A-4.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the department of agriculture, after consultation with industry representatives, to enhance and strengthen the biosecurity program in regard to incipient invasive species management programs.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 31, 2150.



 

Report Title:

Biosecurity Program; Invasive Species; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to DOA to enhance and strengthen the biosecurity program in regard to incipient invasive species management programs.  (HB1005 HD1)

 

 

 

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