THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2007

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Senator Ron Menor, Chair

Senator Gary L. Hooser, Vice Chair

COMMITTEE ON WATER, LAND, AGRICULTURE, AND HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS

Senator Russell S. Kokubun, Chair

Senator Jill N. Tokuda, Vice Chair

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE:	Thursday, February 8, 2007
TIME:	5:00 p.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 414 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

ENE/WAH

SB 890

RELATING TO INTEGRATED STRATEGIES FOR STATEWIDE FOOD AND ENERGY CROP PRODUCTION. Appropriates funds for the Center for Conservation Research and Training at UH to develop best practices consistent with comprehensive agricultural management strategies to facilitate sustainable production of crops through long-term enhancement of soil quality using ecologically responsible means.  Implements a pilot project demonstrating integrated strategies to enhance soil fertility for the production of clean energy feedstocks (agricultural crops used as the raw materials for biofuels or  biomass-to-electricity production) and food crops.  Establishes mechanisms by which stakeholders can work collaboratively in the development of best practices and to educate the public about sustainable agriculture issues faced by the state.

ENE/WAH, WAM

WAH/ENE

SB 639

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES. Prohibits the importation and sale of noxious weeds and any new plant species without department of agriculture inspection and approval.  Requires the department to update the noxious weed list every two years.  Appropriates funds for the revision and review of the list of noxious weeds.

WAH/ENE, WAM

Decision Making to follow, if time permits.

Persons wishing to testify should submit 30 copies of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 208, State Capitol, 24 hours prior to the hearing.  Please include your name, position/title, organization, contact information, position on the measure, the hearing date, bill title and committee to which your testimony should be referred. Please submit separate testimony for each bill on which you are testifying. Please submit your testimony on one side of an 8½x11-inch paper with 1-inch margins. E-mail testimony will not be accepted at the office E-mail testimony will not be accepted at the office. However, e-mail testimony for the bills scheduled in the above agenda may be sent to the Public Access Room at testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov.  Or testimony may be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.  When faxing, please indicate to whom the testimony is being submitted, the date and time of the hearing, and the required number of copies needed for submittal.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign language interpreter, wheelchair accessibility, or parking designated for the disabled) please contact the committee clerk 24 hours prior to the hearing so arrangements can be made.

Public Folder.  A folder labeled “Public Folder” containing the measures and testimonies for the hearing will be available for shared use by members of the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6740.

________________________________________ Senator Russell S. Kokubun Chair

________________________________________ Senator Ron Menor Chair