WHEREAS, Honolulu Harbor and Honolulu International Airport are the major gateways to Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of passengers, cargo, and mail entering or leaving the State do so through Honolulu Harbor and Honolulu International Airport; and

WHEREAS, the well-being of Honolulu Harbor and Honolulu International Airport is essential to the economic health, sustainability, and environmental protection of the State; and

WHEREAS, initiatives to modernize the Honolulu Harbor and Honolulu International Airport have been underfunded and have not been conducted with the urgency necessary to ensure Hawaii's economic health and sustainability; and

WHEREAS, environmental concerns incurring significant cost overruns have delayed the modernization of Honolulu Harbor and Honolulu International Airport; and

WHEREAS, the Plant Quarantine Branch of the Department of Agriculture is tasked with preventing the introduction and spread of harmful pests and diseases into the State, as well as certifying plants for export out of the State; and

WHEREAS, there are increased concerns regarding the Department of Agriculture's inability to hire inspectors in a timely manner; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture has failed to submit reports to the Legislature on the status of the Biosecurity Program pursuant to sections 150A-56 and 150A-57, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

WHEREAS, members of the agricultural and environmental sectors, as well as the community at large, have expressed concern regarding the Department of Agriculture's lack of transparency and progress in implementing the Biosecurity Program; and

WHEREAS, inspection at ports of entry is considered the most effective means of preventing unwanted plants and animals from entering the State; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation is mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce or eliminate the introduction of invasive species at state airports; and

WHEREAS, the transfer of the Plant Quarantine Branch from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Transportation may facilitate the State's efforts in preventing the establishment of invasive species in Hawaii; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to convene a task force to examine the feasibility of transferring the Plant Quarantine Branch from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Transportation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following are requested to serve as members of the task force:

(1) The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture or the Chairperson's designee, who is requested to serve as Chairperson of the task force;

(2) One member appointed by the Governor;

(3) One member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(5) The Director of Transportation or the Director's designee; and

(6) The Chief of the Plant Quarantine Branch of the Department of Agriculture or the Chief's designee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Governor and Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Director of Transportation, Chief of the Plant Quarantine Branch of the Department of Agriculture, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Invasive Species; Plant Quarantine Branch; Task Force

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	121
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII