STAND. COM. REP. NO.  738-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2517

      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. 2517, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect Hawaii's agricultural lands and native ecosystems by, among other things:

     (1)  Allowing the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to regulate or prohibit the sale in Hawaii of specific plants designated as restricted plants;

     (2)  Allowing the importation of noxious weeds only for research, by permit, and prohibiting the sale of noxious weeds in the state;

     (3)  Clarifying that a restricted plant also includes a portion of the plant; and

     (4)  Clarifying that plants can be placed on the restricted plant list because the plant itself may be detrimental or potentially harmful to agriculture, horticulture, the environment, or animal or public health.

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and Conservation Council for Hawaii supported this bill. DOA and the Hawaii Audubon Society supported this bill with amendments.

Several concerned individuals submitted comments.

     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. 2517, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair