SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the invasion of Hawaii by insects, disease-bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other pests is a major threat to the State's economy, natural environment, and health. The legislature further finds that immediate action is needed to mitigate the threats and impacts of invasive species.

Pests have caused millions of dollars in crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, and the spread of disease, and many more harmful pests now threaten to invade Hawaii and wreak further damage. Even one new pest, like the brown tree snake or the red imported fire ant, could forever change the character of our islands. For example, a 2010 study by Shwiff, et al., estimated that if brown tree snakes became established in Hawaii, the cost to the State in lost tourism, health costs, and damage to power infrastructure could range from $593,000,000 to $2,140,000,000 per year. A 2007 study by Gutrich, et al., estimated that establishment of red imported fire ants in Hawaii would cost $211,000,000 annually, including $77,000,000 in control expenses and damage to utility, business and household infrastructure and $134,000,000 in lost outdoor opportunities for visitors and residents. Studies and experience show that preventing the introduction and spread of pests is more cost effective than reactive responses or simply absorbing to the economic, social, cultural, and ecological losses caused by established pests that are allowed to spread unchecked. Stopping the influx of new pests and containing their spread is essential to Hawaii's current and future well-being.

The legislature previously recognized the critical importance of eliminating invasive species in Hawaii by adopting Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 45, H.D. 1 (2001), and by passing Act 85, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 45 resulted in the 2002 legislative reference bureau study "Filling the Gaps in the Fight Against Invasive Species," and Act 85, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, resulted in the creation of the interagency Hawaii invasive species council to provide policy level direction, coordination, and planning among agencies. The Hawaii invasive species council has disbursed funds on an annual basis to support critical invasive species prevention, control, outreach, research, and planning projects that enhance or supplement existing departmental projects.

The legislative reference bureau study "Filling the Gaps in the Fight Against Invasive Species," estimated the annual cost to address invasive species issues in Hawaii at $50,000,000. The original goal for an annual Hawaii invasive species council budget was $5,000,000 from the general fund, though the initial approved appropriation in fiscal year 2005 was $2,000,000. From fiscal years 2010-2013, no general funds were provided. In fiscal year 2014, $750,000 was provided from the general fund. In fiscal year 2015, $5,750,000 was provided from the general fund. The legislature finds that a continued commitment to having the best possible understanding, science, plans, and capacity is necessary to maintain and enhance invasive species prevention and mitigation in Hawaii to effectively protect the State's natural resources and economy and the health and lifestyle of its people.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Provide funds to the department of land and natural resources, as administrative host of the Hawaii invasive species council, for the immediate protection of Hawaii's environment and economy and the health and lifestyle of its people through the support of invasive species prevention, control, research, outreach, and planning;

(2) Provide moneys and staffing capacity to the department of agriculture, with assistance and advice from the other member departments of the Hawaii invasive species council, to prevent the introduction of new pests to Hawaii and to prevent the spread of pests between islands; and

(3) Provide moneys and direct the legislative reference bureau to update its 2002 study titled "Filling the Gaps in the Fight Against Invasive Species."

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $6,000,000 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 to be expended on projects undertaken in accordance with the Hawaii invasive species council, including but not limited to invasive species prevention, control, outreach, research, and planning.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 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 projects to rapidly respond, control, and eradicate incipient infestations, and prevent the movement of invasive species between the islands of Hawaii.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture, with appropriate assistance and advice from the other departments that are represented on the Hawaii invasive species council, for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. (a) The legislative reference bureau shall update its 2002 study "Filling the Gaps in the Fight Against Invasive Species;" provided that the legislative reference bureau shall consult with relevant government and non-government organizations, experts and individuals in its analysis; provided further that the bureau shall update its study to the extent necessary to describe the present scope of the invasive species problem in Hawaii; economic and other costs to Hawaii; health and safety issues; state, federal, county and non-government roles and responsibilities; gaps and leaks in prevention and response systems; and, recommendations for policy, programs and funding to address invasive species.

(b) The legislative reference bureau may contract the services of another entity to perform any economic modeling or any related services that may be required pursuant to this section. Any contract for services executed pursuant to this section shall be exempt from chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

(c) The legislative reference bureau shall submit the updated study to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 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 contracting for services to update the 2002 study "Filling in the Gaps in the Fight Against Invasive Species."

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1046
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII