STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2994

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1607

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology and Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1607 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture to establish a pilot pesticide treatment coupon project, within the existing little fire ant program, and a little fire ant site map.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawai‘i System, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Association of REALTORS, Hawaii Pest Control Association, and seven individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committees find that the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, threatens native biodiversity, alters tropical ecosystems, impairs human health, impedes tourism, diminishes agricultural productivity, mars horticulture sales, and accordingly ranks among the world's worst invasive species.  The County of Hawaii has been affected most by the little fire ant.  The University of Hawaii, the County of Hawaii, and the Department of Agriculture must collaborate to develop and implement effective measures to address the impacts of the little fire ant in the County of Hawaii.  Your Committees therefore find that the Department of Agriculture needs resources to be more proactive and aggressive in implementing its current little fire ant program.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Amending section 1 to better reflect its purpose;

     (2)  Clarifying that coupons may be used for supplies and equipment purchased from private companies;

     (3)  Requiring the Department of Agriculture to provide each individual with information on the proper usage and health and safety precautions regarding the Department's recommended treatment plan; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology and Water, Land, and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1607, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1607, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology and Water, Land, and Agriculture,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair