STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1004

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 604

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 604, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LANDSCAPING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illness by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Health to create and maintain a list of plants and landscaping-related structures or equipment that are known to be preferred habitats for mosquito breeding; and

 

     (2)  Prohibiting the use of plants and landscaping-related structures or equipment that serve as preferred mosquito habitats in landscaping on public property.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

 

     Your Committee finds that a variety of plants exist that are known to be potential mosquito breeding habitats due to their natural ability to collect water.  Your Committee further finds that limiting the use of such plants in landscaping, as well as landscaping-related structures and equipment that are preferred habitats for mosquito breeding, will reduce the mosquito population in Hawaii and benefit public health.  Your Committee recognizes that the Department of Agriculture has more expertise than the Department of Health regarding which plants are natural water collectors likely to attract mosquitoes.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting language to require the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, to create and maintain the list of plants and landscaping-related structures or equipment that are known to be preferred habitats for mosquito breeding;

 

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 604, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 604, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair