STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1134-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.R. No. 144

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.R. No. 144 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF THE PLANT QUARANTINE BRANCH OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address concerns regarding the Department of Agriculture's ability to implement the Biosecurity Program, especially inspections at all ports of entry, by requesting the Auditor to:

(1)  Conduct a financial and management audit of the Plant Quarantine Branch of the Department of Agriculture (Branch);

(2)  Based on the current state of the Branch, recommend the resources necessary for the Branch to fully and properly carry out its responsibilities; and

(3)  Submit a report to the Legislature on its findings and recommendations.

The Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 144 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair