STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2686

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2920

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2920, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs 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 the State.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation, a Hawaii County Council Member, the Maui Invasive Species Committee, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.  Written comments in opposition were received from the Big Island Fisheries Alliance.  The Department of Agriculture submitted written comments on the measure.

     Your Committee finds 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.

     Your Committee further finds that the little fire ant is a primary threat to Hawaii's environment, agriculture, and economy, as well as to the health and way of life of Hawaii's people.  Research is needed to assess the long-term impacts of the little fire ant in the State and to ascertain the economic and social benefit from greater public investment in prevention and control.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the County of Hawaii is authorized, but not mandated, to hire, at a minimum, one part-time caretaker II position and two part-time caretaker I positions for the pilot project;

     (2)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair