Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2472 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Agriculture (department) to charge user fees for inspection, permitting, and other services provided by the department.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Board of Agriculture and the Hawaii Audubon Society. The Nature Conservancy submitted testimony commenting on the measure.

Your Committee finds that the department has the authority to inspect all incoming ship containers, air cargo, vessels, baggage, and packages if there is cause to believe that they contain invasive species, plants, animals, or microorganisms. These alien species pose a tremendous threat to the diminishing populations of native, endemic, and endangered organisms in Hawaii. Prevention and screening programs are currently inadequate and the department is struggling to accomplish their mission of cargo and passenger inspections. This measure will assist in alleviating some of the financial burdens.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2472 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.