HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	561
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that responding quickly to newly detected invasive species can often prevent the species from becoming firmly established, saving taxpayers money in the long term. State agencies currently lack the resources and response mechanisms to deal with these newly identified threats and may be missing opportunities to eliminate them. This can allow invasive species to become established in the State, making mitigation efforts more protracted and expensive.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to create a rapid response mechanism for invasive species so that newly detected threats may be immediately addressed.

SECTION 2. Chapter 194, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§194- Invasive species rapid response special fund. (a) There is established the invasive species rapid response special fund, into which shall be deposited appropriations by the legislature for the purposes of mitigating or eradicating newly detected invasive species threats in the State. All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited into the fund shall become part of the fund. The council shall administer the special fund and may expend moneys in accordance with this section.

(b) If the council determines that one or more newly detected invasive species pose a substantial threat to the agriculture, commerce, economy, environment, or public health of the State or otherwise warrant immediate action, the council shall submit a request to the governor to declare that there exists an invasive species emergency.

(c) Upon declaration by the governor pursuant to subsection (b) that there exists an invasive species emergency, the council may act in response to the emergency and may make expenditures from the fund without legislative approval and without regard to chapters 36, 37, 89, and 103D.

(d) The council shall make an accounting of moneys expended from the fund and shall include that information in its annual report to the legislature."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for deposit into the invasive species rapid response special fund.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Invasive Species; Mitigation; Special Fund; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the invasive species rapid response special fund. Establishes procedures for emergency declarations and expenditures. Appropriates money.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.