STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3430
Honolulu, Hawaii
H.D. 1
President of the Senate
Thirty-First State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Transportation and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2276, H.D. 1, 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:
(1) Appropriate funds to the Department of Transportation for the coordinated removal of albizia and other invasive trees that potentially threaten the public roadways and utility infrastructure on public and private land; and
(2) Require a two-to-one matching requirement from a public utilities source.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Hawaiian Electric, and four individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and one individual.
Your Committees find that non-native albizia trees pose a hazard to public safety and critical infrastructure, including overhead utilities. Invasive albizia trees can grow up to two hundred and fifty feet tall; however, due to their brittle branches and shallow root systems, tropical storms can easily bring down albizia trees, resulting in blocked roadways and millions of dollars in damage to homes and important electric utility lines. This measure will therefore help to facilitate their removal to resolve the safety hazards and environmental threats created by albizia trees.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2276, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Agriculture and Environment,
|
________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
|
________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair |
|
|
|
|