Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1554, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to help protect Hawaii's natural environment by establishing and appropriating funds for the Environmental Workforce Program to assist the counties in their fight against invasive species.

A member of the Maui County Council and The Nature Conservancy testified in support of this bill. The Hawaii Pest Control Association supported this measure with amendments. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of this bill. The University of Hawaii Environmental Center offered comments.

The Environmental Workforce Program is urged to work together with members of the private structural pest control industry. The industry can share its experience in protecting structures from pests, including invasive species such as fire ants.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1554, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.