STAND. COM. REP. NO.  766-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 1597

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1597, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the rapid ohia death disease that is devastating the critically important ohia forests in the State, especially on the island of Hawaii, by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature that includes information about the nature of the rapid ohia death disease, status of plans and strategies to combat the disease, and the funds necessary to eliminate, control, or prevent the disease; and

     (2)  Appropriating funds to research preventative and treatment methods and to control and contain damage caused by the disease.

The Aha Moku Advisory Committee, the Council Chair of the Hawaii County Council, University of Hawaii System, The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, Aloha Arborist Association, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and an individual provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture and Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments.

     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. 1597, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair