Bill Text: HI HB1932 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Biosecurity Program; Department of Agriculture; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2014-04-25 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-25-14 2:45PM in conference room 224. [HB1932 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-HB1932-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1932 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to biosecurity.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the unchecked spread of invasive species is one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people. Invasive pests can cause millions of dollars in crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, the spread of disease, and the quarantine of exported agricultural crops.
Island ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the destructive power of invasive pests. In Guam, the accidental introduction of the brown tree snake has resulted in widespread devastation. Without natural predators or competition for food, brown tree snake populations have grown exponentially, causing mass extinctions of endemic birds. Where there were once bird songs, the silent forests of Guam are now home to as many as fifteen thousand snakes per square mile. Just one new pest like the brown tree snake could forever change the character of the Hawaiian Islands.
Despite our ongoing efforts to detect and eradicate invasive species, our fragile island ecosystems are constantly at risk from insects, disease-bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other invasive pests. The coqui frog, Salvinia molesta, Miconia calvescens, ohia rust, nettle caterpillar, and little fire ant are all present in Hawaii, disrupting the delicate balance of our ecosystems, crowding out native species, and reducing the biodiversity of our islands.
The department of agriculture has created a biosecurity program to fight invasive species on several fronts by:
(1) Administering pre-entry measures to minimize the risk of invasive pests entering the State;
(2) Conducting port-of-entry inspections to detect and quarantine or destroy pests upon arrival; and
(3) Administering post-entry measures to mitigate the establishment of pests in the State.
The department has also supported the growth of Hawaii's agriculture by attempting to reduce the State's dependency on imported agricultural products that may contain pests. The legislature finds that sufficient support for a biosecurity program is vital to the public's health and welfare.
The purpose of this Act is to reaffirm the legislature's finding that the implementation of the department of agriculture's biosecurity program is vital to the State and requires the department to complete the implementation of the program.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the biosecurity program of the department of agriculture.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the biosecurity program of the department of agriculture.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Biosecurity Program; Department of Agriculture; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for FY 2014-2015 for the department of agriculture's biosecurity program.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
