STAND. COM. REP. NO.  302-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 1607

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1607 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the threat of the little fire ant to the bio-environment, agricultural production, economy, and human health by:

(1)  Expanding the Department of Agriculture's Little Fire Ant Program to include a Pilot Pesticide Treatment Coupon Project (Coupon Project) that provides coupons redeemable for appropriate pesticides to people who report and verify the presence of little fire ants on their property in the County of Hawaii;

(2)  Requiring the Department of Agriculture to create, update, and place on its website, a map of little fire ant sites in the County of Hawaii;

(3)  Requiring the Department of Agriculture to submit a progress report on the Coupon Project and the little fire ant site map to the Legislature; and

(4)  Appropriating funds for the Coupon Project and the little fire ant site map.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii System, two members of the Hawaii County Council, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and two concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Pest Control Association, and Hawai‘i Association of Realtors supported the intent of this measure.  A concerned individual opposed this measure.  A concerned individual submitted comments on this measure.

     Your Committee notes that at this point in the legislative process, the amount of the appropriation for the Pilot Project and the little fire ant site map is unspecified and further information is necessary to determine a recommended amount.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1607 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair