STAND. COM. REP. NO. 746

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 558

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 558 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 appropriate funds to establish invasive species technician positions in east Maui for the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Cattlemens Council, Conservation Council for Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the invasion of non-native insects, disease bearing organisms, weeds, and other pests is a major threat to Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and health.  Your Committee further finds that preventing the arrival of new pests and halting the spread of established pests are essential to the State's present and future well-being.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing the amounts appropriated in fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 from $500,000 respectively for each year to unspecified sums;

(2)  Changing the number of permanent full-time equivalent invasive species technician positions from five to an unspecified number; and

(3)  Changing the effective date to March 9, 2092, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     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. 558, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 558, S.D. 1.

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

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair