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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
312 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
S.D. 1 |
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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, the spread of disease, and the quarantine of exported agricultural crops.
Island ecosystems are especially vulnerable to the destructive power of invasive pests. In Guam, the accidental introduction of the brown tree snake has resulted in widespread devastation. Without natural predators or competition for food, the brown tree snake population in Guam has grown exponentially, causing the mass extinction of endemic birds. Where there once were bird songs, the silent forests of Guam are now home to as many as fifteen thousand snakes per square mile. The introduction of just one new pest like the brown tree snake could forever change the character of the Hawaiian islands.
Despite the State's ongoing efforts to detect and eradicate invasive species, our fragile island ecosystems are constantly at risk from insects, disease-bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other invasive pests. The coqui frog, salvinia molesta, miconia calvescens, ohia rust, nettle caterpillar, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and little fire ant are all currently present in Hawaii, disrupting the delicate balance of the State's ecosystems, crowding out native species, and reducing the biodiversity of the islands.
The department of agriculture has created a biosecurity program to fight invasive species on several fronts by:
(1) Administering pre-entry measures to minimalize the risk of invasive species entering the State;
(2) Conducting port-of-entry inspections to detect and quarantine or destroy pests upon arrival; and
(3) Administering post-entry measures to mitigate the establishment of invasive species within the State.
The department of agriculture has also supported the growth of agriculture in the State by attempting to reduce the State's dependency on imported agricultural products that may contain invasive pests. The legislature finds that the public's health and welfare are served by providing funding to support biosecurity programs.
The purpose of this Act is to provide funding for the department of agriculture to complete the implementation and continue the operation of its biosecurity programs.
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 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the biosecurity programs of the department of agriculture.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication 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 biosecurity programs of the department of agriculture.
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, 2015.
Report Title:
Agriculture; Biosecurity Programs; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates funds to the department of agriculture for its biosecurity programs. (SD1)
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