Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2763, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the counties to control and eradicate the coqui frog.

Your Committee finds that, since its arrival in Hawaii in 1992, the coqui frog population has grown exponentially and is now firmly established on several islands. The infestation of coqui frogs in the State is in such high concentrations that their high-pitched shrill has been measured at levels that exceed the maximum noise levels allowed by law. The health and well being of many communities have suffered because of the unbearable noise.

The coqui frog has also negatively impacted the State's economy. On September 27, 2001, the coqui frog was declared an agricultural pest, making shipments of plants infested with coqui frogs subject to state quarantine. The coqui frog has also affected the tourism industry with infestations spreading onto hotel and tourist destination properties.

This measure addresses the problem of coqui frogs by appropriating funds to the counties of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and the City and County of Honolulu to control and eradicate the coqui frog.

Your Committee has amended the bill by:

(1) Changing each unspecified appropriation amount to $1;

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2763, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2763, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.