STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2314

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2458

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 S.B. No. 2458 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 for the biosecurity program within the Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Maui Invasive Species Committee, Democratic Party of Hawaii, The Nature Conservancy, and one individual.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from Abel Freight Services, Inc.

     Your Committees find that invasive species, including weeds, insects, snakes, and other pests, are one of the greatest security threats to Hawaii's economy, agriculture, and natural environment.  Unfortunately, the State is currently struggling to control a number of invasive species that have already spread through the islands, including the little fire ant and coqui frog.  Due to Hawaii's favorable climate conditions and limited competition, non-native species find Hawaii an ideal environment in which to thrive.  Preventing the introduction of non-native species, however, is exponentially more economical than eradicating non-native species once they are already established in Hawaii.  Your Committees conclude that ensuring the biosecurity program is fully funded is essential to preventing the introduction and proliferation of harmful invasive species. 

     One testifier raised concerns that the funds appropriated to the biosecurity program would be used to construct a single biosecurity facility, which would create a pest inspection monopoly in the State, and increase food costs to the Hawaii consumer.  Your Committees note that a representative from the Department of Agriculture assured your Committees that the appropriation in this measure is not earmarked to construct one single biosecurity facility, but rather may be used for a number of biosecurity activities.  The representative further assured your Committees that the Department will be meeting with interested stakeholders regarding this issue next week.

     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 S.B. No. 2458 and recommend that it pass Second Reading 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