STAND. COM. REP. NO.  600-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2501

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2501, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to prevent and control the spread of pests and other illegal organisms by establishing and funding a Biosecurity Program (Program) in the Department of Agriculture (DOA).

     DOA, Department of Transportation, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Horizon Lines, LLC, Conservation Council for Hawaii, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter, testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of this measure.

     Among other things, this bill:

     (1)  Establishes the objectives for the Program and identifies general actions to achieve these objectives;

     (2)  Authorizes DOA to impose charges for the inspection of cargo to offset the cost of the Program; and

     (3)  Requires the annual submittal of proposed appropriations necessary to effectively operate the Program compared to actual appropriations and expenditures.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2501, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair