STAND. COM. REP. NO.  913

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1325

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1325, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reaffirm the Legislature's finding that the Department of Agriculture's biosecurity program is vital to the State.

     Specifically, this measure, also known as the Clift Tsuji Act:

     (1)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish parameters and construction requirements for biosecurity facilities that provide for and ensure the safety of agricultural and food commodities; and

     (2)  Appropriates funds for the Department's biosecurity program, including for projects for import replacements of high risk crops.

The Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Conservation Council for Hawaii, Hawaii Green Growth, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Friends of Clift Tsuji, Hawaii Coffee Association, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1325, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair