Bill Text: HI HR223 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Invasive Species; Department of Agriculture; Inspection Fee
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-03-12 - (H) Referred to AGR/TRN, FIN, referral sheet 49 [HR223 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-HR223-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
223 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
URGING THE HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NOT to INSPECT or RELEASE ANY AIRline CARGO of an airline that does not regularly pay the inspection, quarantine, and eradication service fee and charge for that cargo.
WHEREAS, an invasive species is a harmful non-indigenous plant, animal, insect, or disease agent that enters the State's borders; and
WHEREAS, if left uncontrolled, invasive species can devastate Hawaii’s agricultural industry, natural environment, economy, public health, and threaten the dwindling number of endangered species in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, and the United States Department of Interior, recognize the devastation that invasive species can inflict on the environment, Hawaii's national parks, and the State's endangered species; and
WHEREAS, once established invasive species may hopefully be controlled but often times cannot be eradicated; and
WHEREAS, without vigilant inspection of incoming cargo, the public's health, safety, and welfare are at risk from the introduction and establishment of invasive species; and
WHEREAS, the only two pathways for invasive species to enter the State is by air or maritime transportation; and
WHEREAS, an invasive species inspection at a port-of-entry is considered the best quarantine measure to reduce entry of unwanted animals and plants into the State; and
WHEREAS, there is evidence that suggests that invasive species introduced in the State by air transportation have a stronger likelihood of survival than by any other means; and
WHEREAS, past and current air transport inspections have found prohibited plants and animals, including snakes, piranha, and rare and endangered orchids, fish, and coral; and
WHEREAS, some airlines are releasing imported cargo without inspection; and
WHEREAS, dogs have been released by transportation companies without inspection for public health issues such as rabies; and
WHEREAS, section 150A-5.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, provides that a person responsible for paying freight charges to the transportation company must pay an inspection fee of fifty cents per one thousand pounds of freight to the transportation company; and
WHEREAS, maritime transportation companies have been attempting to collect the inspection fee and have forwarded the payment to the State Department of Agriculture, but many airlines transportation companies have not; and
WHEREAS, the community and state government feel that interdicting non-native species is a priority and should be required at all ports-of-entry; 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 Hawaii Department of Agriculture is urged not to inspect or release any airline cargo of an airline that does not regularly pay the inspection, quarantine, and eradication service fee and charge for that cargo; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture is urged to cite and fine all airlines releasing cargo that has not been inspected to the extent permitted by section 150A-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Transportation, the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Airline
Committee of Hawaii, and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Honolulu District Office.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Invasive Species; Department of Agriculture; Inspection Fee
