THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2116
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

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 responding quickly to newly detected terrestrial and aquatic biosecurity emergencies in the State can often "nip the problem in the bud" and prevent biosecurity threats from becoming firmly established, thus saving taxpayers money in the long term.  State agencies currently lack resources and a mechanism to quickly respond to new threats and, therefore, may be missing opportunities to eliminate those threats.  This may allow new terrestrial and aquatic biosecurity threats to become established in the State and make efforts to mitigate or eliminate them more protracted and expensive.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to create a mechanism for rapid response to terrestrial and aquatic biosecurity emergencies at or beyond ports so that newly detected threats may be immediately addressed.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 150A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VI to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§150A-     Biosecurity emergency response special fund.  (a)  There is established the biosecurity emergency response special fund, into which shall be deposited appropriations by the legislature for the purpose of supporting multiagency terrestrial and aquatic emergency responses at or beyond ports by emergency task forces to mitigate or eradicate newly detected terrestrial and aquatic biosecurity threats in the State.  All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited into the fund shall become part of the fund.  The department shall administer the special fund and may expend moneys in the special fund in accordance with this section.

     (b)  If the department determines that one or more newly detected terrestrial or aquatic biosecurity threats pose a substantial risk to the agriculture, commerce, economy, environment, or public health of the State or otherwise warrant immediate action, the department shall submit a request to the governor to declare that there exists a biosecurity emergency.

     (c)  Upon declaration by the governor pursuant to subsection (b) that there exists a biosecurity emergency, the department may take action in response to the emergency and make expenditures from the fund without legislative approval and without regard to chapters 36, 37, 89, and 103D.

     (d)  The department shall make an accounting of moneys expended from the fund and shall include that information in its annual report to the legislature."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for deposit into the biosecurity emergency response special fund.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the biosecurity emergency response special fund the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to support multiagency terrestrial and aquatic emergency responses at or beyond ports by emergency task forces to mitigate or eradicate newly detected terrestrial and aquatic biosecurity threats in the State.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Biosecurity Emergency Response; Mitigation and Eradication; Special Fund; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the biosecurity emergency response special fund within the Department of Agriculture.  Establishes procedures for emergency declarations and expenditures.  Appropriates moneys into the special fund.

 

 

 

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