STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2783

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2448

       S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2448, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to assist in the identification, control, and removal of invasive species.  

     Specifically, part I of this measure:

(1)  Authorizes the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to adopt rules, without regard to the public notice and public hearing requirements of chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to amend the list identifying invasive species in the State;

(2)  Prevents the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from including domesticated pet species in the invasive species list; and

(3)  Authorizes agents of any entity that is a member of the Invasive Species Council to enter onto private property to control or eradicate the invasive species on the property, after reasonable notice.

     Furthermore, part II of this measure appropriates general funds for the management of Albizia trees on the island of Hawaii.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, Conservation Council for Hawaii, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and one individual.

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that Albizia trees are an invasive species in Hawaii and are a matter of statewide concern.  Your Committee recognizes that existing State and county budgets are not sufficient to combat the rapid growth of Albizia trees on the island of Hawaii and elsewhere.  Your Committee further finds that the provisions of part I of this measure are similar to certain provisions contained in Senate Bill No. 2799, S.D. 1, which establishes a new chapter in the Hawaii Revised Statutes entitled "Invasive Species Authority" and repeals chapter 194, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the Invasive Species Council.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Deleting part I of the measure; and

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     Your Committee requests that the next committee to hear this measure consider expanding Albizia tree management statewide if resources are available.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2448, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2448, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair