Bill Text: HI SB1091 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Biosecurity.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-15 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SB1091 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2017-SB1091-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1091 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
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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, and the quarantine of exported agricultural crops. Even as Hawaii's State Constitution mandates a strong agricultural policy supporting sustainability and self-sufficiency for the benefit of the people of Hawaii now and for future generations, farmers and ranchers in the State face significant loss of production due to invasive pests. Reducing these losses can significantly contribute to Hawaii's agricultural production and farm and ranch viability.
The department of agriculture established a biosecurity program with the objective to respond effectively to eradicate, control, reduce, and suppress incipient pest populations and established pests and seize and dispose of prohibited or restricted organisms without a permit. The biosecurity program fights invasive species via a multi-dimensional system that includes administering pre-entry measures to minimize the risk of invasive species entering the State; conducting port-of-entry inspections to detect and quarantine or destroy pests upon arrival; and administering post-entry measures to mitigate the establishment of pests in the State.
Farmers and ranchers need additional tools to reduce losses from incipient pests. The recent discovery of the coffee berry borer on Maui highlights the need for further public and industry-targeted education about the risks associated with the spread of invasive species. Additional education along with focused technology transfer research is required to develop management practices to achieve control over the spread of incipient pests. If control and suppression goals are not achieved, incipient pests become established and severely impact agricultural production. Many pests chronically impact agriculture, and targeted measures are needed to reduce the impact of these established pests. Pests such as the diamondback moth continue to challenge growers of the cabbage family decades after its introduction into the islands.
The purpose of this Act is to reaffirm the legislature's findings that eradicating invasive pests and accompanying diseases is important to increase agricultural production in Hawaii, and to appropriate moneys to enhance the biosecurity program to fight incipient invasive species.
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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for deposit into the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund established pursuant to section 150A-4.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the department of agriculture, after consultation with industry representatives, to enhance and strengthen the biosecurity program in regard to incipient invasive species management programs.
The sums 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, 2017.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Biosecurity Program; Invasive Species; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriate moneys to DOA to enhance the biosecurity program by funding invasive incipient species management programs.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
