STAND. COM. REP. NO.  92-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2424

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. 2424 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the spread of invasive species that threatens Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of its residents by:

(1)  Reaffirming that the Department of Agriculture's Biosecurity Program is vital to Hawaii;

(2)  Authorizing the Department to establish or participate in private-public partnerships to enhance the Biosecurity Program and quarantine inspection process; provided that Department employees perform the actual inspections;

(3)  Requiring the Department to adopt rules to establish parameters and construction requirements for biosecurity facilities, including cold storage facilities established by private-public partnerships; and

(4)  Appropriating funds to enable the Department to fully execute specified projects in its Biosecurity Program relating to replacement of high risk imported crops; quarantine treatment options; identification of new pests and diseases; inspection improvements; and public and agricultural industry education.

The Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Tropical Flowers and Foliage Association Kauai, Conservation Council for Hawaii, and Hawaii Crop Improvement Association supported this measure.  Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted comments on this measure.

     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. 2424 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair