SB2399 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Invasive Species Authority as a new state entity administratively attached to the Department of Agriculture, replacing the previous Hawaii Invasive Species Council with expanded powers and dedicated staff.

• Authority composed of nine members including directors/designees from agriculture, land and natural resources, health, transportation, business/economic development/tourism, University of Hawaii president, and three governor-appointed members representing conservation, agriculture/horticulture, and Native Hawaiian cultural practices.

• Authority duties include: maintaining oversight of invasive species, adopting list of species for control/eradication, coordinating among state departments and federal agencies, implementing the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan, managing emergency response coordination, establishing data repository, developing public reporting system, and administering interagency budget for invasive species projects.

• Grants authority to hire employees including an executive director without regard to civil service requirements; allows departments to enter private property with notice to control/eradicate invasive species, and establishes process for court-ordered entry if permission refused.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal year 2018-2019 for authority operations and for interagency invasive species projects; effective July 1, 2050 with transition provisions effective July 1, 2051.