Report Title:

Plant and Non-Domestic Animal Quarantine

Description:

Authorizes the department of agriculture to restrict the entry into the State of any articles originating from Guam that have not been certified as having been inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services or other approved agency prior to shipment from Guam.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2477

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO PLANT AND NON-DOMESTIC ANIMAL QUARANTINE.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the brown tree snake has decimated Guam's native bird species and has had significant negative impact on the territory's economy and the health and well-being of its residents and visitors. If the brown tree snake were to become established in Hawai'i, the anticipated losses to our State will be similar to Guam, though exponentially greater given our geographic size, population, and the fragile nature of Hawaii's native species. It is in the best interests of the State to take all reasonable and appropriate precautions to ensure that the brown tree snake does not become established in Hawai'i.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services currently provides educational and inspection services to the government and private sectors on Guam to assist shippers and travelers in preventing the spread of the brown tree snake. However, participation in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services programs is largely voluntary.

The purpose of this Act is to encourage individuals and entities on Guam that wish to send any goods or other articles to Hawai'i to participate in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services and other approved programs, or risk having their shipments disallowed entry into the State of Hawai'i.

SECTION 2. Chapter 150A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§150A- Articles and containers from Guam. In addition to any other authority provided by law, the department may inspect, reject, treat, send out of State, or destroy any article imported into the State, including any box, vehicle, baggage or container in which the article may have been transported or any packing material used in connection therewith that originated from Guam and has not been certified as having been inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services or other approved agency prior to departure from Guam."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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