STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1066

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1941

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1941 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONTROLLING INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect Hawaii's environment by appropriating funds for the inspection, quarantine, and eradication of invasive species.

     The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Audubon Society, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and Hawaii Forest Industry Association testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of this measure.  A concerned individual opposed this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1941, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1941, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair