HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

77

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE CURRENT LAWS, RULES, AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE REGARDING HIGH RISK PLANTS REQUIRING INTERVENTION.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, one of the major threats to Hawaii's agricultural, horticultural, aquacultural, and livestock industries, forest and recreational areas, and conservation districts of the State is invasive plants; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture identifies and regulates these threats by maintaining a restricted plants list; and

 

WHEREAS, the restricted plants list has not been changed since its inception due to the time-consuming, costly, and cumbersome process of rulemaking required to get plants on or off the list; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii, which allows importation of plants except those on the restricted plant list, needs a process by which to quickly intervene when high-threat plants are identified, as determined by a risk assessment based on the benefit versus the invasive potential; and

 

     WHEREAS, allowing a streamlined process for adding to and removing from the restricted plant list or lists will add a necessary tool to effectively and efficiently manage any serious threat in a timely manner; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, is requested to convene a working group to evaluate the current laws, rules, and standards of practice regarding high risk plants requiring intervention; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body requests that the working group be composed of the following members:

 

     (1)  A representative from the Department of Agriculture;

 

     (2)  A representative from the Department of Land and Natural Resources;

 

     (3)  A representative from:

 

         (A)  The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources;

 

         (B)  The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species;

 

         (C)  The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Chapter;

 

         (D)  The Conservation Council for Hawaii;

 

         (E)  The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation;

 

         (F)  The Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii;

 

         (G)  The horticulture industry;

 

         (H)  The aquaculture industry; and

 

         (I)  The livestock industry;

 

         and

 

     (4)  One member each appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body requests that the members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall serve as co-chairs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body requests that the working group:

 

     (1)  Evaluate the current regulations, rules, and standards of practice regarding the adding and removing of items from the restricted plant list;

 

     (2)  Determine a more effective and efficient process for adding or removing plants to or from the restricted plants list to supplement the existing rulemaking process, including the risk evaluation and assessment of the benefit versus the invasive potential of new and existing plants;

 

     (3)  Recommend a process by which the Board of Agriculture, a board member, government agency, or industry or conservation experts may recommend the designation of a plant species as a restricted plant, including data type and collection sufficiency;

 

     (4)  Discuss whether there is a need for multiple restricted plant lists, based on risk or threat assessments, geographical criteria, specific purposes or conditions or other relevant categories; and

 

     (5)  Investigate any other relevant issues pertaining to restricted plants as determined by the working group;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council and Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species are requested to:

 

     (1)  Communicate and collaborate with their individual island members regarding the work and progress of this working group; and

 

     (2)  Transmit a draft of their proposed findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislative Reference Bureau no later than November 1, 2012;

 

and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of the working group's findings and recommendations, including problems with existing statutes or administrative rules and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2013; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the working group are requested to serve without compensation and without reimbursement for expenses; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; members of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Chapter; Executive Director, Conservation Council for Hawaii; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; President of the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii; and Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

 

 

 

Report Title: 

Department of Agriculture and UH; Working Group; High Risk Plants