HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	989
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to INVASIVE SPECIES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that albizia trees are an invasive species that present a threat to life and property in Hawaii.  Albizia trees are more likely than many other species of trees of comparable size to fall or break in windy or rainy weather conditions.  In a natural disaster situation, like the one created by tropical storm Iselle when it struck the Puna district of Hawaii island, fallen or broken albizia trees may threaten public safety by blocking evacuation routes, damaging homes, downing utility lines, or impeding access to emergency care facilities, schools, and polling places.  Furthermore, the speed and manner in which albizia trees grow inhibits the growth and prosperity of native plants.  Accordingly, the legislature finds that the removal of albizia trees on both public and private property is in the public interest.

     The purposes of this Act are to:

     (1)  Amend the uses of the land conservation fund to include the removal of invasive species on public and private lands; and

     (2)  Appropriate moneys from the land conservation fund to coordinate and implement the removal of albizia trees on public and private land.

     SECTION 2.  Section 173A-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:

     "(h)  The fund shall be used for:

     (1)  The acquisition of interests or rights in land having value as a resource to the State, whether in fee title or through the establishment of permanent conservation easements under chapter 198 or agricultural easements;

     (2)  The payment of any debt service on state financial instruments relating to the acquisition of interests or rights in land having value as a resource to the State;

     (3)  Annual administration costs for the fund, not to exceed five per cent of annual fund revenues of the previous year; [and]

     (4)  Costs related to the operation, maintenance, and management of lands acquired by way of this fund that are necessary to protect, maintain, or restore resources at risk on these lands, or that provide for greater public access and enjoyment of these lands; provided that the costs related to the operation, maintenance, and management of lands acquired by way of this fund do not exceed five per cent of annual fund revenues of the previous year[.]; and

     (5)  Invasive species control and mitigation by the invasive species council under chapter 194."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the land conservation fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the coordinated removal of albizia trees on public and private property.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act; provided that no state moneys shall be expended under this Act for the removal of albizia trees on private land unless matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by private moneys.

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Albizia Trees; Invasive Species; Land Conservation Fund; Appropriation

 

Description:

Amends the land conservation fund uses to allow for albizia tree removal.  Makes an appropriation to DLNR for the removal of albizia trees on both public and private land.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.