STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2087

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 15

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 15, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE PROCESSING OF STATE OF HAWAII PLANT AND ANIMAL DECLARATION FORMS, INCLUDING THE COSTS INVOLVED, AND CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO REVIEW THE EFFICACY OF SUCH FORMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Tourism Authority to report to the Legislature on the processing of State of Hawaii plant and animal declaration forms, including the costs involved, and to convene a task force to review the form's efficacy.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that State of Hawaii plant and animal declaration forms completed by passengers arriving in Hawaii are a tool used to prevent the unintentional introduction of invasive plant and animal species into the State. More detailed information on the use and processing of the data collected by the forms may present opportunities to make the system more effective and cost-efficient.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 15, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair