STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2417

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2448

       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 S.B. No. 2448 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:

     (1)  Authorize the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to adopt rules to change its invasive species list; and

     (2)  Authorize an agent of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to enter affected premises of private property, under specific conditions, to control or eradicate invasive species.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Nature Conservancy, O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee, American Bird Conservancy, and one individual.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from five individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Landscape Industry Council of Hawai‘i and one individual.

     Your Committees find that the invasion of insects, disease bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other pests is a major threat to the State's economy, natural environment, and health.  A continued commitment to having the best possible understanding, science, plans, and capacity is necessary to maintain and enhance invasive species prevention and mitigation in Hawaii to effectively protect the State's natural resources and economy and the health and lifestyle of its people.

     Your Committees further find that albizia, Falcataria moluccana, is an invasive species that presents a costly threat to the economy, critical infrastructure, and public safety on the island of Hawaii due to the likelihood of albizia trees falling.  The pre-planned removal of each albizia tree costs significantly less than the combined direct and indirect costs of removal if and when it falls into a road, power line, or building; therefore, proactive efforts should continue to manage albizia trees to ensure safety in a cost-effective manner.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting language to prohibit the inclusion of domesticated pet species on the invasive species list;

     (2)  Inserting an appropriation to the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife for use by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee for the immediate coordinated management of albizia trees on the island of Hawaii;

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2016, for the appropriation; 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 S.B. No. 2448, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2448, 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