SB1554 HD2

Report Title:

Environmental Workforce

Description:

Establishes the environmental workforce program to assist the counties in dealing with invasive species; appropriates funds. (SB1554 HD2)

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1554
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 2

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the emergency environmental workforce that was originally established by Act 4, Third Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, proved effective in containing the dengue fever epidemic, controlling the spread of the miconia plant and other invasive species, and reducing coqui frog and fire ant populations. While the establishment of the workforce was initially intended to be a temporary measure to assist residents of Hawaii who were adversely affected through reduced work schedules or layoffs caused by the events of September 11^th, the legislature finds that the program should be continued on a permanent basis due to its outstanding success in combating invasive species. The research corporation of the University of Hawaii will continue to administer the program.

The purpose of this Act is to permanently establish the environmental workforce program to assist the counties in their fight against invasive species.

SECTION 2. Chapter 193, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§193- Environmental workforce. (a) There is established the environmental workforce program to be administered by the research corporation of the University of Hawaii. The environmental workforce shall:

(1) Employ individuals who shall not be subject to chapters 76 and 89; and

(2) Pursuant to and consistent with the State's invasive species policy as developed by the Hawaii invasive species council established in Act 85, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, provide labor to assist the counties with preventing the introduction of, controlling, and eradicating invasive species throughout the State, including but not limited to miconia, coqui frogs, fire ants, and other invasive species populations.

(b) The research corporation of the University of Hawaii shall submit an annual report on the status of the environmental workforce program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, beginning with the regular session of 2006."

SECTION 3. Act 4, Third Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, is repealed.

SECTION 4. The research corporation of the University of Hawaii shall work in collaboration with the Hawaii invasive species council to deploy the workforce effectively.

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 2005-2006 to carry out the purposes of the environmental workforce established under this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the research corporation of the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.