HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	119
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting that the legislature convene an investigatory public hearing to evaluate the biosecurity program by examining state and county policies and practices that affect the availability of water for agriculture and maintenance of agricultural irrigation systems.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, 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; and

 

     WHEREAS, invasive pests can cause millions of dollars in crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native plants, the spread of disease, and the quarantine of exported agricultural crops; and

 

     WHEREAS, sufficient support for a biosecurity program is vital to the public's health and welfare; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2008, the Legislature established a biosecurity program by adding part VI to Chapter 150A, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

 

     WHEREAS, one of the actions identified to achieve the objectives of the biosecurity program is to promote the production of agricultural commodities in the State to reduce cargo shipments of imported commodities into the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, sufficient quantities of water and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure are essential to support viable agricultural production on a scale necessary to meet the objectives of the biosecurity program; and

 

     WHEREAS, various state and county agencies have regulatory jurisdictions that impact the availability of water for agricultural production and the maintenance of agricultural irrigation systems; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature wants to ensure that the policies and practices of these state and county agencies enable and promote the availability of water for agricultural production and the maintenance of agricultural systems; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, that the House of Representatives and the Senate convene a joint investigatory public hearing for the purpose of:

 

     (1)  Investigating the policies and practices of the various state and county agencies' permitting, approvals, and decisions that affect the availability of water for agricultural production and the maintenance of agricultural irrigation systems; and

 

     (2)  Identifying any statutory or other amendments that may be necessary to promote and meet the objectives of the biosecurity program; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Commission on Water Resource Management, Public Utilities Commission, Agribusiness Development Corporation, each county department of water supply, and each county planning department is requested to participate in the investigatory public hearing; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President appoint members from each respective body to constitute a joint committee for the purpose of conducting the investigatory public hearing; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Speaker of the House of Representatives; Senate President; the mayor of each county; the Chairperson of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Board of Agriculture, the Board of Land and Natural Resources,

the Commission on Water Resource Management, and the Public Utilities Commission, respectively; the Director of Health; and the director of each county department of water supply and planning department.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Agriculture; Biosecurity; Public Hearing