STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1604-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 2920

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2920, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's environment, agriculture, and economy, and the health of Hawaii's residents and visitors from the devastating effects of the invasive little fire ant.

Specifically, this measure provides funding for the following:

(1)  A Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation pilot project to, among other things, test pesticides and develop model strategies for controlling and eradicating the little fire ant;

(2)  The University of Hawaii's Hawaii Ant Lab of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit's canine detection pilot program to assist in the detection of new little fire ant populations and eradications of little fire ant sites; and

(3)  The Hawaii Invasive Species Council to implement a statewide public awareness and education campaign to assist in the prevention and eradication of little fire ants.

The County of Hawai‘i Department of Research and Development, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, Maui Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, a Hawai‘i County Council Member, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture provided comments on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2920, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair