STAND. COM. REP. NO 2928

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1932

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1932, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture's biosecurity program.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Maui County Farm Bureau, and Democratic Party of Hawaii.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from Able Freight.

     Your Committees find that one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's economy, environment, and health is the spread of invasive species.  Unfortunately, Hawaii is already experiencing the devastating effects caused by invasive species such as the little fire ant, coffee berry borer, and macadamia felted coccid.  In order for the State to combat invasive species, it must make the Department of Agriculture's biosecurity program a priority and ensure that it is sufficiently funded.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting language to authorize the Department of Agriculture to establish or participate in private-public partnerships to enhance the biosecurity program and quarantine inspection process with on-port and off-port facilities, including inspection and treatment facilities, transitional facilities, and consolidation and deconsolidation facilities;

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1932, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1932, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Environment,

____________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

____________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair