THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

636

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that responding quickly to newly detected invasive species in the State can often "nip the problem in the bud" and prevent the invasive species from becoming firmly established, thus saving taxpayers money in the long term.  State agencies currently lack resources and a mechanism to quickly respond to new threats and, therefore, may be missing opportunities to eliminate those threats.  This may allow new invasive species to become established in the State and make efforts to mitigate or eliminate them more protracted and expensive.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to create a mechanism for the rapid response to invasive species so that newly detected threats may be immediately addressed.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 194, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§194-    Invasive species rapid response special fund.  (a)  There is established the invasive species rapid response special fund, into which shall be deposited appropriations by the legislature for the purposes of mitigating or eradicating newly detected invasive species threats in the State.  All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited into the fund shall become part of the fund.  The council shall administer the special fund and may expend moneys in the special fund in accordance with this section.

     (b)  If the council determines that one or more newly detected invasive species pose a substantial threat to the agriculture, commerce, economy, environment, or public health of the State or otherwise warrant immediate action, the council shall submit a request to the governor to declare that there exists an invasive species emergency.

     (c)  Upon declaration by the governor pursuant to subsection (b) that there exists an invasive species emergency, the council may take action in response to the emergency and make expenditures from the fund without legislative approval and without regard to chapters 36, 37, and 89.

     (d)  The council shall make an accounting of moneys expended from the fund and shall include that information in its annual report to the legislature."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for deposit into the invasive species rapid response special fund.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Invasive Species; Mitigation and Eradication; Special Fund; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the invasive species rapid response special fund within DLNR.  Establishes procedures for emergency declarations and expenditures.  Appropriates moneys.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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