Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 14 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request Hawaii's Congressional delegation to seek federal funding to be used for programs and measures intended to contain and eradicate coqui frogs in Hawaii.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the County of Hawaii, C&H Farms, Hawaii Association of Realtors, and one individual. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by Animal Rights Hawai`i Advocates for Animals; the Coqui Hawaiian Integration and Reeducation Project; the Good Shepherd Foundation, Inc.; and one individual.

Your Committees finds that the threat of invasive species entering the State is not a new one. In fact, Hawaii's Congressional delegation has diligently worked to secure federal funds for the control and eradication of the brown tree snake. The federal money received helped to fund various control measures, research, prevention, and eradication of the brown tree snake. These efforts have significantly reduced the threat that the snake poses to Hawaii's natural ecosystem and economy. This measure requests Hawaii's Congressional delegation to work with that same vigor and commitment to secure money for the eradication of coqui frogs in the State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by expanding the scope of the request to include the prevention and the eradication of all invasive species threatening Hawaii's natural environment and resources.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 14, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 14, S.D. 1.