Bill Text: HI SB558 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 558 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Invasive Species.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [SB558 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-SB558-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	558
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

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 the invasion of Hawaii by insects, disease-bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other pests is the single greatest threat to the State's economy and natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of the people of Hawaii. Pests already cause millions of dollars in crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, and the spread of disease, but many more harmful pests now threaten to invade Hawaii and cause more damage. Stopping the influx of new pests and containing their spread are essential to the State's current and future well-being.

The legislature further recognizes the efforts made by the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife and the Maui invasive species committee to control high-threat invasive species throughout Maui county, especially efforts in east Maui to control miconia, a fast-growing weedy tree that can increase erosion and landslides due to its shallow root system. It is estimated that approximately 37,000 acres throughout east Maui could contain miconia, which poses a threat to the local environment, cultural practices, and economy.

The purpose of this Act is to provide funds to establish invasive species technician positions for the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife to control invasive species, such as miconia, statewide to prevent negative impacts to the environment and economy.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the special fund of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to establish permanent full-time equivalent ( FTE) invasive species technician positions at the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife to control invasive plants and animals statewide.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Invasive Species; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife for invasive species technician positions to control invasive plants and animals statewide. (SB558 HD1)

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