Bill Text: HI HB1050 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Invasive Species; Interisland Movement; Department of Agriculture; Audit; Appropriations ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-07-13 - Act 243, on 07/12/2016 (Gov. Msg. No. 1352). [HB1050 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1050-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1050

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

C.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO INTERISLAND MOVEMENT OF INVASIVE SPECIES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the interisland spread of invasive species is harmful to agriculture, native biota, public health, and the economic well-being of the State.  Further, the legislature finds that these pests continue to move to new areas within the State through varied transportation methods and on various agricultural and non-agricultural commodities, which may or may not be subject to inspection for pests or subject to treatment.  The legislature further finds that the plant quarantine branch of the department of agriculture is a critical component in meeting the threat of invasive species entering Hawaii and spreading throughout Hawaii through the State's ports of entry.

     To more effectively mitigate the spread of invasive species, the Hawaii invasive species council and the biosecurity program of the department of agriculture should use their strengths and resources more efficiently.  The Hawaii invasive species council should direct the invasive species committees to focus their resources on reducing invasive species in non-agricultural areas, specifically conservation lands and residential areas.  The department of agriculture should focus its resources on preventing the introduction of invasive species into Hawaii and reducing invasive species in agricultural production areas and performing inspections, certifications, and treatments, if required.

     SECTION 2.  Section 150A-57, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§150A-57[]]  Annual report.  The department shall submit an annual report on the biosecurity program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session of the legislature.  The [schedule] report shall include:

     (1)  The schedule required under section 150A-56 [shall be included in the pertinent annual report.];

     (2)  The status of each activity required by Act    , Session Laws of Hawaii 2016, including for each activity:

         (A)  All expenditures;

         (B)  Descriptions of and the purposes of any activity-related travel;

         (C)  Workforce allocation; and

         (D)  Measure of effectiveness;

     (3)  Summary of interisland inspections and export inspection activities;

     (4)  Projections by year of future expenditures and future acreage to be under pest management by crop; and

     (5)  Activities yet to be completed, and, if applicable, an explanation why they were not completed."

     SECTION 3.  The department of agriculture shall work through existing contracts and appropriated funds for invasive species activities to undertake invasive species management related to agricultural lands and agricultural and non-agricultural commodities as follows:

     (1)  The department of agriculture shall use general funds to:

         (A)  Develop an interisland and export database that allows for the trace-back and trace-forward of agricultural commodities, type and varietals inspected by the department of agriculture, quantity of commodities, and other pertinent information.  All proprietary information shall be kept confidential by the department of agriculture;

         (B)  Increase the priority of inspection of agricultural commodities transported between islands, without impacting or jeopardizing the inspection of imported agricultural commodities from out-of-state;

         (C)  Develop quarantine treatments for high-risk commodities moving between islands; and

         (D)  Coordinate planning with the department of transportation for inspection and quarantine treatment capabilities at or adjacent to ports of entry; and

     (2)  The department of agriculture shall use general funds to increase detection, response, and control programs to address agricultural pests statewide.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the purposes set forth in section 3(1) of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $800,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the purposes set forth in section 3(2) of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the planning, site selection, preparation of environmental documentation, and preliminary design for two facilities; provided that one facility shall be for edible agricultural crops and the other shall be for non-edible agricultural crops for the purpose of marshalling and treatment of commodities prior to the interisland movement or export from the island of Hawaii.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 7.  There is appropriated from the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the auditor to conduct a financial and performance audit of the duties and facilities of the plant quarantine branch of the department of agriculture, including the branch's biosecurity programs and related programs; provided that the auditor shall submit a report of findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the governor and the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 8.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 9.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.



Report Title:

Invasive Species; Interisland Movement; Department of Agriculture; Audit; Appropriations

 

Description:

Mandates the Department of Agriculture to perform specified tasks to address the interisland spread of invasive species.  Requires annual report. Requires the Auditor to audit the Plant Quarantine Branch.  Makes appropriations.  (HB1050 CD1)

 

 

 

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

feedback