STAND. COM. REP. NO.  51

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1325

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1325 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 implementation of the Department of Agriculture's Biosecurity Program is vital to the State.  Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Clarifies the Department of Agriculture's authority to expend funds from multiple sources for the Biosecurity Program;

     (2)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish parameters and construction requirements for biosecurity facilities; and

     (3)  Appropriates funds to enable the Department of Agriculture to complete the implementation of the Biosecurity Program to include import replacement and pest management programs.

The Nature Conservancy, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Friends of Clift Tsuji, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Local Food Coalition, and several concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture and Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of 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. 1325 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,

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair