THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2713

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

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:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the invasion of insects, snakes, weeds, disease-bearing organisms, and other pests is the single greatest threat to the State's economy, environment, and health.  The legislature further finds that action is needed to address the threat of invasive species and mitigate their impact on Hawaii's ecosystems.

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

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to protect the State's resources, agriculture, and health and to execute the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan by appropriating funds to mitigate or eradicate newly detected invasive species threats in the State.

     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 trust fund.  (a)  There is established within the state treasury the invasive species rapid response trust 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 trust fund and may expend moneys from the trust fund in accordance with this section.

     (b)  If the council determines that one or more newly detected invasive species poses a substantial threat to the agriculture, commerce, economy, environment, or public health of the State, or otherwise warrants immediate action, the council shall submit a request to the governor to declare that there exists an invasive species emergency.  Upon declaration by the governor that there exists an invasive species emergency, the council may take action in response to the emergency and expend moneys from the trust fund without legislative approval and notwithstanding chapters 36, 37, and 89.

     (c)  For purposes of this section, "newly detected invasive species" shall include invasive species that are newly detected in the State and invasive species that were previously detected in the State but are newly detected in another county or on another island of the State.

     (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 2020-2021 for deposit into the invasive species rapid response trust fund established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

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

     The sum shall be appropriated to the department of land and natural resources and expended by the Hawaii invasive species council for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

DLNR; Invasive Species Rapid Response Trust; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Invasive Species Rapid Response Trust Fund for rapid responses to invasive species emergencies.  Requires the Invasive Species Council to include an accounting of moneys expended in its annual report to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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