Establishes an invasive species cost-sharing program administered by the Hawaii invasive species council to assist counties in dealing with the ever-growing invasive species populations.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is experiencing an invasive species crisis with established species spreading though out the State, as well as with new arrivals becoming established every year.

The department of agriculture noted that in a risk assessment blitz conducted at the Kahului airport in 2004, the number of species detected at that airport, during that short period of time, was similar to the number of species normally detected at all airports for the whole year.

Further, the legislature finds that the number of species arriving in Hawaii is approximately fifty to one hundred per year. The invasive species council indicates that of the fifty to one hundred species, approximately ten per cent become established in Hawaii.

The legislature believes that all levels of government must work together to make a significant difference in combating these invasive species.

The purpose of this Act is to establish an invasive species cost-sharing program administered by the Hawaii invasive species council to assist counties in dealing with the ever-growing invasive species populations.

SECTION 2. There is established an invasive species cost-sharing program to be administered by the Hawaii invasive species council. The purpose of the program shall be to assist counties in the prevention, control, and eradication of harmful invasive species infestation.

SECTION 3. (a) There is established a special fund within the state treasury known as the invasive species fund that shall be used for payments to be made by the Hawaii invasive species council pursuant to agreements entered into with counties to further the purposes of this Act.

(b) The fund shall consist of moneys received from any public or private sources. The fund shall be held separate and apart from all other moneys, fund, and accounts in the state treasury; provided that any moneys received from the federal, state, or county government or from private contributions shall be deposited and accounted for in accordance with conditions established by the agencies or persons from whom the moneys are received.

Investment earnings credited to the fund shall become a part of the assets of the fund. Any balance remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the fund for the next fiscal year.

SECTION 4. To participate in the cost-sharing program, counties shall:

The council shall approve all plans and shall make the plans available for public review.

SECTION 5. Payments from the invasive species fund shall not exceed fifty per cent of the total cost of the Hawaii invasive species council approved plan. Total payments to the counties shall be determined by the Hawaii invasive species council. The payment shall be the reasonable value of material, goods, and services contributed toward the plan by the county. In-kind services such as heavy equipment and existing sources of labor may be utilized as a portion of the county's contribution in implementing the management plan or agreement that is consistent with this Act.

SECTION 6. The Hawaii invasive species council shall submit a detailed report to the governor and legislature setting forth management objectives that have been completed, an analysis of problems and issues encountered in meeting or failing to meet objectives set forth in county plans or agreements, the condition of the fund, and management objective for the next year.

The report shall be submitted to the governor and legislature at least twenty days before the regular session of the legislature.

SECTION 7. The Hawaii invasive species council may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to effectuate this Act.

SECTION 8. 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, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to establish an invasive species cost-sharing program administered by the Hawaii invasive species council to assist counties in dealing with the ever-growing invasive species.

SECTION 9. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii invasive species council for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 10. This Act shall take effect upon approval and shall be repealed on July 1, 2008.