STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2057

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2920

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2920 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a little fire ant pilot project to research solutions for addressing the little fire ant threat in Hawaii.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i County Council, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Maui Invasive Species Committee, Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, and one individual.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and Hawaii Pest Control Association.

     Your Committees find that the Wasmannia auropunctata, known as the little fire ant, threatens native biodiversity, alters tropical ecosystems, impairs human health, impedes tourism, diminishes agricultural productivity, mars horticulture sales, and accordingly ranks among the world's worst invasive species.  Human behaviors and habitats allow the little fire ant to move quickly, disperse widely, grow to high densities, and inhabit locations not otherwise possible.  Hawaii's tropical climate is ideally suited for little fire ant establishment and growth.  As of 2013, the little fire ant has been recorded on the islands of Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii.

     Your Committees further find that research is needed to assess the long-term impacts of little fire ants in Hawaii and to ascertain the economic and social benefit from greater public investment in prevention and control.

     Your Committees note and concur with the testimony of the Department of Land and Natural Resources expressing support for this measure, provided that this measure does not replace or adversely impact appropriations for other priorities in the executive budget supplemental request related to invasive species.

Your Committees also find that the issue on whether this measure constitutes special legislation raises concerns that merit further consideration and request that your Committee on Ways and Means further examine this issue to determine whether a grant-in-aid to the County of Hawaii or other means of financing for the little fire ant pilot project would be more appropriate.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2920, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2920, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Environment and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair

____________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair