STAND. COM. REP. NO.  461

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 1568

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Transportation and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1568 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect Hawaii's natural environment from the threat of invasive species and assist Hawaii's agricultural industry by:

     (1)  Requiring the Aloha Tower Development Corporation (ATDC) to provide space, planning and design support, and other infrastructure at the Aloha Tower Complex to the Department of Agriculture (DOA) for biosecurity and inspection facilities to meet the various needs of the island of Oahu's agricultural industry;

     (2)  Requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide space, planning and design support, and other infrastructure at Honolulu International Airport, Kona International Airport at Keahole, Hilo International Airport, Kahului Airport, and Lihue Airport to DOA for biosecurity and inspection facilities to meet the various needs of each islands agricultural industry;

     (3)  Requiring DOT to provide space, planning and design support, and other infrastructure at Honolulu Harbor, Hilo Harbor, Kawaihae Harbor, Kahului Harbor, and Nawiliwili Harbor for biosecurity and inspection facilities to meet the various needs of each islands agricultural industry; and

     (4)  Appropriating funds for DOA to reimburse ATDC and DOT for the establishment of the biosecurity inspection facilities.

     The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, and Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and DOA supported the intent of this measure.  The Airlines Committee of Hawaii and a concerned individual opposed this bill.  DOT provided comments.

     Hawaii is an island state with numerous delicate ecosystems that can be decimated by the introduction of an invasive species including noxious weeds, insects, and other pests.  This not only poses a threat to Hawaii's natural environment but also impacts our economy, agricultural industry, and the health and lifestyle of our residents.  Unfortunately, Hawaii is also one of the most isolated populated land masses in the world which requires that we import a majority of the products we use.  This creates transportation pathways for invasive species to arrive in our State.  Stopping the threat of invasive species at these ports of entry by constructing and operating biosecurity facilities is the most effective and economical means of protecting our islands.

     The biosecurity facilities will also serve as a barrier to the exporting of invasive species to other parts of the world which could result in embargos and quarantines of produce and other goods from Hawaii.  Proper inspection facilities will provided safeguards against this and will also assist the agricultural industry in alleviating the delay experienced when shipping perishable items out-of-state.

     Your Committees have amended this bill by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the biosecurity and inspection facilities at the Aloha Tower Complex are intended to meet the needs of Hawaii's agricultural industry in general and not only the island of Oahu's agricultural industry;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1568, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1568, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Agriculture,

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair

____________________________ JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair