STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1139

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 336
                                        H.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was
referred H.B. No. 336, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PLANT AND NON-DOMESTIC ANIMAL
     QUARANTINE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of
Agriculture (DOA) to maintain lists of approved, restricted, and
prohibited microorganisms.

     This measure will also provide a procedure for allowing the
importation of microorganisms not on any list on a case by case
basis, allow DOA to publish interim rules in a newspaper of
general circulation, and increase the number of days currently
required for publishing from the date of issuance.

     Testimony in support of the intent of this measure was
received from the Board of Agriculture and the Hawaii Agriculture
Research Center.  Testimony in support with amendments was
received from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human
Resources at the University of Hawaii, the Department of
Microbiology at the University of Hawaii, and one individual.
Comments on this measure were received from the Hawaii
Biotechnology Group, Inc. and the Natural Energy Laboratory of
Hawaii Authority.

     Your Committee finds that throughout the world, agricultural
scientists have been discovering that there are many

 
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microorganisms that are essential to healthy soils.  Naturally
occurring, beneficial microorganisms are now being used in many
countries and on the mainland in nurseries, farming, and forestry
to improve depleted conditions in degraded agricultural and
pasture lands.  Many of these beneficial organisms can reduce the
application of harmful chemical fertilizers and fungicides, and
foster sustainable agricultural systems.

     Your Committee finds that currently, state laws governing
the importation of animals, plants, and microorganisms are no
longer adequate for support of Hawaii's research, education, and
industry interests.  The highly competitive and rapidly evolving
scientific and commercial fields of today require more effective
procedures for expediting the importation of organisms necessary
to remain competitive with the mainland and foreign countries.
At the same time, the unique Hawaiian environment and the health
and safety of its citizens must be protected.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will balance the
needs of the research and business communities while providing
adequate protection to the environment, and human, animal, and
plant health in Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.B. No. 336, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second
Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Economic
                                   Development,



                                   ______________________________
                                   LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

 
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