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Harry Kim <br />iticivor <br />iutf if <br />flirt offlp <br />4'. <br />Wil Okabe <br />Managing Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deptitv Managing Director <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawail 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />February 26, 2018 <br />Senator Brian T. Taniguchi, Chair <br />Committee on Judiciary <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 016 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Dear Chair Taniguchi and Committee Members: <br />Re: SB 2559, SD 1 Relating to Authority to Enter Private Prope y to Control <br />invasive Species when there is a Reasonable Suspicion that Invasive <br />Species are Present <br />Hearing Date: 02/27/18 — 9:30 am; Conference Room 016 <br />Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of the intent of SB 2559, SD 1. <br />The Council of Mayors has identified invasive species as a top -priority issue that <br />deserves your attention. Even our best efforts are often inadequate to protect our islands from <br />harmful pests, and limited resources make it imperative that we work together in pursuing <br />solutions to what often seem intractable problems. <br />The original SB 2559 would put the State and the counties in a better position to fight <br />against invasives. It would take a valuable tool and make it stronger, and we fully supported it. <br />As Department testimony pointed out, confirming the presence of an invasive species is far <br />more difficult than establishing "reasonable suspicion. <br />SB 2559, SD 1 retains the "reasonable suspicion" standard, and we think that is good. <br />The problem is that S 2559, Sialso would require a finding of "priority," which probably <br />means "invasive species and diseases that pose a high risk to public health and safety, the <br />environment, or agriculture." This would be a new bar that might or might not undermine the <br />benefits of this bill. is this new provision important enough to take the risk, or is it one step <br />forward and one step back? <br />We ask that the concept behind SB 2559 be approved, but preferably without imiting its <br />effect to "priority" species. <br />Respectfully sub i ted, <br />Harry Ki <br />Mayor, County of Hawal`. <br />County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />