STAND. COM. REP. NO.  56-14

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1994

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1994 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CIVIL LIABILITY FOR THE INTRASTATE TRANSPORT OF INVASIVE SPECIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to protect Hawaii's residents and businesses against the intrastate movement of invasive species.

 

Specifically, this measure:

 

(1)  Regulates the intrastate movement of certain articles and equipment that present a risk of spreading invasive species;

 

(2)  Establishes a civil penalty for any person who moves infested regulated articles intrastate;

 

(3)  Appropriates moneys to the Department of Agriculture for enforcing restrictions on intrastate movement of regulated articles and the establishment of an inter‑island quarantine program;

 

(4)  Establishes within the Hawaii Invasive Species Council a task force to address the issue of the continued movement of invasive plants, plant pests, and vertebrate pests between islands; and

 

(5)  Appropriates moneys to establish the invasive species task force.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and four individuals.  The Department of Agriculture and the Maui Invasive Species Committee commented on this measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure is necessary to protect Hawaii against the intrastate movement of invasive species, such as coqui frogs and little fire ants, that threaten Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's residents and visitors.

 

Your Committee recognizes that there are some concerns regarding the implementation of this measure if enacted and the potential to inadvertently divert resources away from domestic inspection.  However, your Committee notes that shipments from Hawaii are already considered high-risk in California and are therefore closely monitored.  Furthermore, as of April 1, 2011, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has implemented a stricter policy for incoming shipments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1994 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JESSICA WOOLEY, Chair