STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2875

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2426

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the planning, design, and construction of biosecurity facilities at harbors and airports throughout the State.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and Able Freight Services, Inc.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Airlines Committee of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee 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 its people.  Invasive pests can cause millions of dollars in crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, the spread of disease, and the quarantine of exported agricultural crops.

 

     Your Committee further finds that ports of entry are the gateways through which new invasive pests make their way to the State.  As a result, it is vital that Hawaii's airports and harbors are prepared with the resources, facilities, and infrastructure to properly prevent the introduction of any new invasive species.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting a general obligation bond issuance and appropriation amount of $1,000,000; and

 

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

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2426, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

 

 

 

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair