STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1234-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: S.B. No. 2399

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2399, S.D. 2, 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:

(1) Restructure the Hawaii Invasive Species Council into the Hawaii Invasive Species Authority, to be administratively attached to the Department of Agriculture, to coordinate implementation of the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan and address the control, eradication, and prevention of the introduction of invasive species; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the Hawaii Invasive Species Authority and interagency projects and research related to invasive species.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Councilmember representing District 4 of Hawaii County, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Little Fire Ant HUI, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, Hawaii Farmers Union United Kona Chapter, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Local Food Coalition, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and many individuals supported this measure. An individual opposed this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language relating to the transfer of existing civil service or exempt positions of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to the Hawaii Invasive Species Authority; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

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 S.B. No. 2399, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2399, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair