STAND. COM. REP. NO.  570-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 1716

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1716 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION, CONTROL, OUTREACH, RESEARCH, AND PLANNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's environment, agriculture, economy, and the health of Hawaii's people by appropriating $5,000,000 to be expended on projects undertaken in accordance with the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, including invasive species prevention, control, outreach, research, and planning.

The Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Office of Planning, the Mayor of the County of Maui, Chair of the County Council of the County of Maui, Maui Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Nature Conservancy, and three concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.

     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. 1716 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair