THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

523

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

 

 

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

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature reaffirms that the invasion of Hawaii by insects, disease-bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other pests is the single greatest threat to Hawaii's economy and natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people.  The legislature finds that action is needed to improve the State's programs to mitigate the threats and impacts of invasive species and to effectively implement the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan.

     The legislature recognizes the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan as the primary guiding document for improving invasive species prevention, detection, and control capacity over the ten-year scope of the plan from 2017 to 2027.

     The purpose of this Act is to enhance protection of Hawaii's natural resources, agriculture, human health, and way of life by appropriating funds for execution of the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan.

PART II

     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 within the state treasury 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 special fund without legislative approval and notwithstanding 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."

PART III

     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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for deposit into the invasive species rapid response special fund established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the invasive species rapid response special fund the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the purposes of the fund.

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

     SECTION 5.  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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to support additional research, prevention, control, and outreach projects as directed by the Hawaii invasive species council, including the invasive species committees in each county and the Hawaii ant lab.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act; provided that portions of this appropriation may be transferred to other departments to implement the directions of the Hawaii invasive species council.

     SECTION 6.  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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to add ten full-time equivalent (10.0 FTE) positions to the department of land and natural resources, per the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan, as follows:

     (1)  Two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) natural area reserves specialists IV, (SR-22), Kauai;

     (2)  Two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) forestry and wildlife technicians IV, (SR-13), Maui;

     (3)  Two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) forestry and wildlife technicians IV, (SR-13), Hawaii island;

     (4)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) forestry and wildlife worker II, (BC-05), Maui;

     (5)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) forestry and wildlife worker II, (BC-05), Oahu;

     (6)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) forester V, (SR-24) administration; and

     (7)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) forester III, (SR‑20), Oahu.

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

     SECTION 7.  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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to remove invasive species in the forests per the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan and for other operating expenses.

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

     SECTION 8.  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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to increase capacity for rapid ohia death response.

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

     SECTION 9.  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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the planning, design, and construction of a coqui frog eradication containment barrier for Maliko gulch on the island of Maui.

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

PART IV

     SECTION 10.  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 2019-2020 and the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to add four positions to the department of agriculture plant quarantine branch, per the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan, as follows:

     (1)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) entomologist III;

     (2)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) plant pathologist;

     (3)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) botanist IV; and

     (4)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) information technology specialist.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 11.  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 2019-2020 to develop plans for a canine detection kennel and training facility to be managed by the department of agriculture.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

PART V

     SECTION 12.  The department of agriculture shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020 on the feasibility and planning of construction of a biological control research and containment facility, including any federal funds that may have been provided to explore a joint federal and state research center serving the Pacific region.

PART VI

     SECTION 13.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 14.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050; provided that parts III and IV shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan; Invasive Species Rapid Response; Special Fund; Report; Appropriations

 

Description:

Creates the invasive species rapid response special fund.  Adds 10 full-time equivalent (10.0 FTE) positions to the Department of Land and Natural Resources per the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan.  Adds 4 full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) positions to the Department of Agriculture and requires the Department submit a report to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds for positions and for execution of the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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