STAND. COM. REP. NO.  339

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 228

      H.D. 2

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. 228, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's environment from the spread of invasive species by using an objective rating system called the Hawaii Pacific Weed Risk Assessment to designate which plants will be on the restricted plants list and noxious weeds list.

The Conservation Council for Hawaii and two concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 31, 2150, to facilitate further discussion.

     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. 228, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 228, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair