STAND. COM. REP. NO. 226

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1140

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 1140 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide funds for:

(1) Positions in the Division of Forestry and Wildlife to respond to invasive species;

(2) The Hawaii Invasive Species Council to support research and interagency projects;

(3) Rapid Ohia Death response; and

(4) Capital improvement projects for Maliko Gulch, Maui, to construct a coqui frog barrier fence and various requests for fencing to exclude invasive animals from protected areas.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, The Nature Conservancy, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species.

Your Committee finds that the invasion of Hawaii by insects, disease-bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other pests is a substantial threat to Hawaii's economy and natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people. Invasive species and pests can swiftly and permanently alter the ecosystem of the State if not effectively eradicated. To ensure the State's invasive species prevention, early detection, rapid response, control, enforcement, and outreach programs will help protect the environment, human health, culture, and economy, it is essential to properly fund such efforts by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1140, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1140, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

________________________________

KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair