STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1677

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 121

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Government Operations and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 121 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING ALL APPLICABLE STATE AGENCIES TO WORK TOGETHER WITH INTERESTED STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE HONOLULU HARBOR USERS GROUP, IN ASSESSING THE RISK OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES TO HAWAII, VECTORS, AND POSSIBLE MITIGATIONS, IN PREPARATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW FEDERAL STANDARDS IN 2022,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge all applicable state agencies to work together with interested stakeholders in assessing the risk of aquatic invasive specifies to Hawaii, vectors, and possible mitigations.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species. Your Committees received comments on this measure from Matson.

Your Committees find that the State depends on healthy marine environments and ecosystems to support its unique cultural practices and recreational resources, preserve residents' quality of life, support local businesses, and provide habitat and sustenance for a multitude of native species — many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Your Committees also find that aquatic invasive species have proven to be devastating on some nearshore reef environments in Hawaii and waters worldwide, harming the functioning of marine ecosystems, public health, and industries. Your Committees further find that the recognized vectors for the introduction of aquatic invasive species to Hawaii's marine environment are vessel ballast water and biofouling, which account for more than half of all non-native marine and estuarine species, followed by escapees or purposeful introduction from aquaculture, the pet trade, and research, with arrival and possible establishment of species through marine debris. Given the overlapping jurisdictions of state agencies and new federal standards and regulations that will come into effect by the close of 2022, this measure urges agencies, vessel operators, and other stakeholders to work together to assess the risks, and, if necessary, develop and implement aquatic alien species vector control programs.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Government Operations and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 121 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Government Operations and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ LAURA H. THIELEN, Chair