STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3408

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1932

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1932, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to enhance the biosecurity of the State.

Specifically, this measure:

(1)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish or participate in private-public partnerships to enhance the biosecurity program and quarantine inspection process; and

(2)  Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture to enable the department to complete the implementation of the biosecurity program.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Island Princess Macadamia Nut Company, Able Freight Services Inc., Royal Hawaiian Services, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., and seven individuals.  The Department of Agriculture submitted written comments on the measure.

     Your Committee finds that invasive species are one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people.  The irreparable and costly damage to Hawaii's environment and ecosystem caused by invasive plants and animals has resulted in the destruction of valuable crops and native forests.  Your Committee believes that this measure will augment the Department of Agriculture's implementation of its biosecurity program by providing the necessary flexibility and funding to fully execute a comprehensive strategy to detect and eradicate invasive species.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Authorizing the Department of Agriculture to implement the biosecurity program with funding from other sources;

(2)  Specifying that only Department of Agriculture employees may perform actual inspections;

(3)  Specifying that the appropriation shall be used for:

(A)  An electronic manifest system for maritime cargo inspections;

(B)  Import replacement of high risk crops and the development of systems management to enhance pest management practices;

(C)  Research on new generation pesticides and development of integrated pest management methods;

(D)  Development of quarantine treatment options;

(E)  Development and implementation of diagnostics to quickly and reliably identify new and evolving pests and diseases;

(F)  Improvement of productivity of inspection capacity; and

(G)  Conducting public and agriculture industry education activities; and

(4)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1932, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1932, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair