STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2948

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1684

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 1684, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prevent and reduce the intentional introduction and spread of invasive species by:

     (1)  Making the violation of section 150A-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the importation into the State of certain agricultural items, a petty misdemeanor and subject to specified fines;

     (2)  Making the intentional importation, possession, harboring, transferring, or transporting, with the intent to propagate, sell, or release, any pest designated by statute or rule a class C felony and subject to specified fines; and

     (3)  Expanding the presumption regarding whether a person possesses the "intent to propagate" to include pests designated by statute or rule.

     Written comments in support of the measure were submitted by two private organizations.  Written comments presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that invasive insects, diseases, snakes, weeds, and other pests are one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people.  Your Committee believes that this measure will provide necessary disincentives for the intentional introduction of invasive species.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for purposes of style and clarity; and

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of September 14, 2047, to ensure further discussion regarding this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1684, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1684, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair