Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1554 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to permanently establish the Emergency Environmental Workforce Program to assist the counties in their fight against invasive species, such as miconia, the coqui frog, and the fire ant.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Department of Agriculture, a member of the Maui County Council, and the Nature Conservancy. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Pest Control Association support the intent of the measure and provided comments.

Your Committee finds that the emergency environmental workforce established by Act 4, Third Special Session of 2001, was effective in providing meaningful employment opportunities to those impacted by the economic downturn in the wake of the September 11, 2001 national tragedy. The program was also effective in combating invasive species such as the miconia plant and the coqui frog. Your Committee believes the same benefits will accompany a permanent Emergency Environmental Workforce Program, especially given the magnitude of the invasive species problem in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1554 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.