STAND. COM. REP. NO.  448-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2301

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2301, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to effectively mitigate the threats and impacts of invasive species on Hawaii's economy, natural environment, health, and lifestyle and to implement the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan by:

 

     (1)  Reorganizing the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Council), an interagency coordinating body without dedicated staff or funding, into the statutorily established Hawaii Invasive Species Authority (Authority) within the Department of Agriculture;

 

     (2)  Adding additional expertise, staff, and new duties to the Authority; and

 

     (3)  Appropriating funds to the Authority for personnel and operating costs and to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for interagency projects and research related to invasive species as directed by the Authority.

 

     The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Ninti Horizons LLC, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Sustainable Kohala, Patients Without Time, Hawaii Farmers Union United, GMO Free Kauai, Local Food Coalition, Rainbow Ridge West LLC, Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted comments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2301, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair