HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	231
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO introduce and support federal legislation to ADDRESS CONCERNS REGARDING the inspection of plants and products from foreign countries to prevent invasive species from entering the State.

     WHEREAS, the threat of invasive species is an on-going concern that requires vigilant inspection and control of unwanted pests at all points of entry into the State; and

     WHEREAS, the federal Plant Protection Act of 2000 preempts any state from regulating foreign commerce to "prevent the introduction or dissemination of a biological control organism, plant pest, or noxious weed"; and

     WHEREAS, consequently the Hawaii Department of Agriculture no longer inspects certain products and produce, including coffee imported from foreign counties that may carry harmful pests into the State; and

     WHEREAS, in 2003, the Department of Homeland Security transferred the United States Department of Agriculture's responsibility for inspecting plant products from foreign countries to the federal Customs and Border Protection agency; and

     WHEREAS, the elimination of the United States Department of Agriculture's inspection authority has left airport passenger and baggage entry ways more vulnerable to penetration by invasive species; and

     WHEREAS, invasive species concerns should be addressed by proactive inspection and regulations for both incoming and outgoing products and produce; and

     WHEREAS, communication and coordination between federal and state inspectors need to be clarified and improved by implementing a concerted federal and state invasive species action plan to provide adequate protection for the State from invasive species; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that Hawaii's congressional delegation is requested to introduce and support federal legislation concerning the inspection of plants and products from foreign countries including the establishment of a federal and state invasive species action plan, to prevent the introduction of invasive species from entering into the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state Department of Agriculture is requested to work with their federal counterparts to effectuate this Concurrent Resolution; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to members of Hawaii's congressional delegation and the Chairperson of the state Board of Agriculture.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation to Hawaii's Congressional Delegation is requested to address concerns regarding inspection of plants and products from foreign countries to prevent invasive species from entering the State.