RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Added requirement for transportation companies to distribute plant and animal declaration forms to passengers before debarkation from continental US

Added authority for inspectors to inspect baggage and cargo on aircraft and vessels arriving from continental US or between Hawaiian Islands

Added requirement for importers to file written statements with additional information about imported articles

Increased fines for violations of Section 150A-5 from $100-$10,000 to $100-$10,000 for first offense and $500-$25,000 for second offense

Increased fines for intentional violations of prohibited/restricted species from $500-$25,000 to $1,000-$20,000 for first offense

Increased fines for knowingly importing prohibited/restricted animals or pests with intent to propagate from $5,000-$20,000 to $5,000-$20,000 (unchanged amount but clarified language)

Added authority for department to refuse entry, confiscate, or destroy prohibited articles brought into State without permit

Added definition of 'Person' to include government agencies and their subdivisions

Added requirement for transportation companies to distribute plant and animal declaration forms to passengers and crew before debarkation from the continental United States.

Expanded inspection authority to include non-agricultural commodities arriving from the continental United States, not just agricultural items.

Added requirements for importers to file written statements with detailed information about imported articles before entry.

Increased fines for violations, with maximum penalties raised from $10,000 to $10,000 for first offenses and $25,000 for repeat offenses in some cases, and added felony penalties for intentional violations.

Clarified the definition of 'person' to explicitly include government agencies and their subdivisions.

Set the effective date to July 1, 3000 (likely a placeholder or error in the draft).

Added requirement for transportation companies to distribute and collect plant and animal declaration forms from passengers arriving from the continental United States before debarkation.

Expanded inspector authority to administratively inspect baggage and cargo on aircraft and vessels arriving from the continental United States or between Hawaiian Islands without needing to show good cause first.

Increased fines for violations of invasive species import laws, with maximum penalties raised to $10,000 for first offenses and $25,000 for repeat offenses.

Added felony penalties for knowingly importing prohibited animals or pests with intent to propagate, sell, or release them, with fines up to $200,000.

Clarified that courts may order violators to pay for pest eradication programs when violations result in pest establishment or escape.

Added statutory definition of 'Person' to include governments and their agencies, instrumentalities, or subdivisions.

Set the effective date of the Act to July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder or error in the draft.