HI HCR84

Requests the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, to convene a working group to evaluate current laws, rules, and standards regarding high-risk plants requiring intervention.

Specifies working group membership including representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, The Nature Conservancy Hawaii Chapter, Conservation Council for Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii, and the horticulture, aquaculture, and livestock industries, plus one member each appointed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House.

Directs the working group to evaluate current regulations for adding and removing plants from the restricted plants list, determine a more efficient process to supplement existing rulemaking, recommend procedures for designating restricted plants, and consider whether multiple restricted plant lists are needed based on risk assessments or other criteria.

Requires the Hawaii Invasive Species Council and Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species to communicate with island members and submit draft findings and recommendations to the Legislative Reference Bureau no later than November 1, 2012.

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to submit a final report with the working group's findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2013 Regular Session convenes.