STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1398-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.C.R. No. 47

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 47 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO TAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS TO PROTECT OHIA AND OTHER MYRTACEAE FAMILY PLANTS FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE RUST FUNGUS, PUCCINIA PSIDII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's native and endemic plant species and watershed forests from invasive pests by expressing support and urging expeditious administrative action by both the United States Department of Agriculture and the state Department of Agriculture to restrict the importation of plant species that host the Puccinia psidii fungus.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and two individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 47 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair