HI HR77

Request 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.

Working group shall be composed of 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, horticulture, aquaculture, and livestock industries, plus one member each appointed by the Senate President and House Speaker to serve as co-chairs.

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

Hawaii Invasive Species Council and Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species shall communicate with island members and submit draft findings and recommendations to the Legislative Reference Bureau by November 1, 2012.

Legislative Reference Bureau shall submit a report of the working group's findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the start of the 2013 Regular Session.