STAND. COM. REP. NO.  118

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 592

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 592 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND AGRICULTURAL PROTECTION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Modify the existing plant and animal declaration form to require in-bound travelers to acknowledge federal and state laws and individual responsibility to protect the environment and agriculture of the State; and

 

     (2)  Require all other documents travelers are required to complete to enter the State, except documents only relating to a dangerous communicable disease, to include an environmental and agricultural affirmation.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

 

     Your Committee finds that increased environmental and agricultural awareness among visitors is essential to preserving the natural resources of the State.  Your Committee further finds that the declaration form is often the first opportunity to impress upon visitors the importance of Hawaii's unique environment, agricultural industries, and overall way of life.  This measure will create another tool to educate visitors about the importance of respecting and preserving Hawaii's natural resources during their visit to the State.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 592, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 592, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SEAN QUINLAN, Chair