Report Title:

Invasive Species; Biosecurity Program; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the planning of inspection facilities by the department of agriculture as part of its biosecurity program.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2648
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to invasive species.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the pervasive invasion of Hawaii by insects, disease-bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other invasive pests is the single greatest threat to Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people.

     These invasive species cause millions of dollars in crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, the spread of disease, and the quarantine of exported agricultural crops.  There are many invasive species currently established in the State (i.e., the coqui frog, salvinia molesta, miconia calvescens, and dengue fever carrying mosquitoes) and several other species threatening to enter or becoming established in the State (i.e., the little fire ant, nettle caterpillar, papaya mealybug, erythrina gall wasp, ohia rust, Asian citrus psyllid, and varroa mite).

     In response to the invasive species problem, the department of agriculture has created a biosecurity program to strategically fight invasive species on several fronts.  First, the program administers pre-entry measures to minimize the risk of invasive pests entering the State.  Second, the program includes ports-of-entry inspections to detect and treat pests upon arrival.  Finally, the program administers post-entry measures to mitigate the establishment of invasive species in the State.

     In support of the biosecurity program, the department of agriculture is establishing an interim joint-inspection facility with the federal government to be located at the existing federal inspection facility at the Honolulu International Airport.  The department is also planning a permanent joint inspection facility with the federal government that will be located adjacent to the Honolulu International Airport.  The legislature finds that supporting the biosecurity program through the development of the joint inspection facilities is vital to the public health and welfare of the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide funding for the department of agriculture's planning of the interim and permanent joint inspection facilities.

     SECTION 2.  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 2008-2009 for the planning of the interim joint inspection facility and permanent joint inspection facility of the department of agriculture's biosecurity program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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