Bill Text: HI HB1567 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Airports; Biosecurity; Appropriation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-12-01 - Carried over to 2012 Regular Session. [HB1567 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-HB1567-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  460

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1567

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Transportation and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1567 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSPECTIONS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to protect Hawaii's natural environment from the threat of invasive species by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide, design, construct, and operate biosecurity inspection facilities at Honolulu International Airport, Kona International Airport at Keahole, and Hilo International Airport to inspect air cargo; and

 

     (2)  Appropriating funds from the Airport Revenue Fund for the design, construction, and operation of the biosecurity inspection facilities.

 

     The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture (DOA) supported the intent of this measure.  DOT, The Airlines Committee of Hawaii, and a concerned individual opposed this bill.

 

     Hawaii is an island State with numerous delicate ecosystems that can be decimated by the introduction of an invasive species including noxious weeds, insects, and other pests.  This not only poses a threat to Hawaii's natural environment but also impacts our economy, agricultural industry, and health and lifestyle of our residents.  Unfortunately, Hawaii is also one of the most isolated populated land masses in the world which requires that we import a majority of the products we use.  This creates transportation pathways for invasive species to arrive in our State.  Stopping the threat of invasive species at these ports of entry by constructing and operating biosecurity facilities is the most effective and economical means of protecting our islands.

 

     The biosecurity facilities will also serve as a barrier to the exporting of invasive species to other parts of the world which could result in embargos and quarantines of produce and other goods from Hawaii.   Proper inspection facilities will provide safeguards against this and will also assist the agricultural industry in alleviating the delays experienced when shipping perishable items out-of-state.

 

     However, your Committees note the concerns raised by DOT that the use of airport revenue funds for the construction of biosecurity facilities may be in conflict with federal law which requires these funds to be used for capital and operating costs of the airport, airport system, or facilities devoted to air transportation.  Nevertheless, your Committees find that this matter is of the utmost importance for the health and welfare of our State and respectfully request that DOT consult with the Federal Aviation Administration and the State Attorney General on whether airport revenue funds can be used for this purpose.  Your Committees also request that DOT continue to work closely with DOA and also with the Department of Budget and Finance to seek other possible sources of funding for this matter.

 

     Your Committees have amended this bill by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1567, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1567, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Agriculture,

 

 

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair		____________________________ JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair