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HB1237
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1237
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to biosecurity
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that the absence of a state
agricultural inspector and quarantine facility on Molokai leaves the island
vulnerable to the introduction and spread of invasive species.
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The legislature further finds that invasive
pests have and will continue to arrive via imported goods, posing a significant
risk to Molokai's unique ecosystems and economy.
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High-risk pathways, such as the importation
of plants, planting materials, mulch, used vehicles, and farm equipment,
further exacerbate this threat.
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Notably,
invasive species such as little fire ants and coconut rhinoceros beetles have
not yet been detected on Molokai.
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The
legislature also finds that there is no state agricultural inspector or island
invasive species committee on Lanai.
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However, community agricultural production on the island is vibrant and
growing.
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To date, Lanai has remained
free of many invasive species that are causing devastation across the State,
including little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetles, and coqui frogs.
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The legislature additionally finds that like
Molokai, Lanai and the State as a whole would benefit immensely from an
increased presence by the department of agriculture to provide inspections and
other support for agricultural producers and the creation of an island invasive
species committee.
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Furthermore,
the legislature finds that on Maui, urgent action and resources are required to
combat the increasing threats of little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetles,
and coqui frogs.
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To effectively educate
the public, implement rapid responses, and carry out timely interventions and
control measures, sustained funding is essential.
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With consistent financial support, it remains
possible to reduce the economic, environmental, and social effects of invasive
species by appropriating funds to public agencies and private organizations to
aggressively treat and monitor little fire ant and coqui frog infestations and
conduct rigorous monitoring for coconut rhinoceros beetle sightings.
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Moreover,
the legislature finds that investing in prevention and early detection of
invasive species is essential, because it can potentially save tens of millions
of dollars in long-term damage and irrecoverable losses.
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For instance, invasive species like the
coconut rhinoceros beetle threaten native and indigenous plants critical to
food security and cultural continuity, such as kalo, lo
ʻ
ulu, mai
ʻ
a
(banana), hala, and ko (sugarcane).
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In
addition, the legislature finds that as an island state, Hawaii has the unique
advantage of being able to prevent the spread of invasive species through
isolation, allowing non-infected islands to serve as critical repositories for
native plants and species threatened by infestations elsewhere.
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This proactive approach to biosecurity will help
safeguard Hawaii's environment, economy, and culture.
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Therefore,
the purpose of this Act is to address critical gaps in Maui county's agricultural
biosecurity and the prevention, detection, and control of invasive species in
Maui county by appropriating funds for these purposes.
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SECTION
2.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,000,000 or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department
of agriculture to prevent and control little fire ant and coconut rhinoceros
beetle infestations in Maui county; provided that the funding shall be
allocated in the following manner:
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(1)
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$
for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) plant quarantine inspector I position on
Molokai to serve the harbor and airport, including salary and fringe benefits,
and for necessary equipment and supplies; and
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(2)
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$
for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) plant quarantine inspector I position on
Lanai to serve the harbor and airport, including salary and fringe benefits,
and for necessary equipment and supplies.
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The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the department
of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION
3.
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(a)
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $2,250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal
year 2026-2027 to combat the spread of coqui frogs in Maui county; provided
that the funding shall be allocated in the following manner:
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(1)
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$2,000,000 to the Maui invasive species
committee to support education, early detection, response, and control efforts regarding
coqui frogs; provided further that this funding may include providing equipment
and supplies to residents to treat coqui frog infestations on their properties;
and
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(2)
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$250,000 to establish a Lanai invasive species
committee as a sub-branch of the Maui invasive species committee.
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(b)
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The department of agriculture may make grants
to or enter into contracts with the Maui invasive species committee to
accomplish the purposes of this section.
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(c)
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The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the
purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Biosecurity;
Invasive Species; Department of Agriculture; Maui County; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates
funds to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural biosecurity and the
prevention, detection, and control of invasive species in Maui County.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.