STAND. COM. REP. NO. 270

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 201

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 201 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that state, county, and authorized agents have authority to enter private property to control and eradicate invasive species when there is a reasonable suspicion that invasive species are present on the property.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Chair of the Maui County Council, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, Limited, Hawai‘i Electric Light Company, Inc., Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and a few individuals supported this measure. The Department of Agriculture supported the intent of this measure. Animal Rights Hawai‘i opposed this measure.

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. 201 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair