Bill Text: HI HB250 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Little Fire Ants Pilot Project; Canine Detection Team Pilot Project; Public Awareness and Education Campaign; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Carried over to 2016 Regular Session. [HB250 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB250-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
250 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Wasmannia auropunctata, commonly known as the little fire ant, threatens native biodiversity, alters tropical ecosystems, impairs human health, impedes tourism, diminishes agricultural productivity, mars horticulture sales, and accordingly ranks among the world's worst invasive species. Human behaviors and habitats allow the little fire ant to move quickly, disperse widely, grow to high densities, and inhabit locations not otherwise possible.
Hawaii's tropical climate is ideally suited for little fire ant establishment and growth. As of 2013, the little fire ant has been recorded on the islands of Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Lanai, and Hawaii. The little fire ant has been successfully contained on the island of Kauai and almost eradicated on the islands of Maui and Lanai, but continues to move between islands on plants, cut flowers, fruits, and other media. The ant now appears to be established at several locations on the island of Oahu. Additional research, new tools, and increased public awareness are needed to stop the further spread and establishment of the little fire ant.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys for the development and implementation of additional tools to detect and control the little fire ant and to create a statewide public awareness and education campaign about the little fire ant.
SECTION 2. (a) The county of Hawaii department of parks and recreation shall implement a little fire ant pilot project. The pilot project shall:
(1) Mitigate the spread of the little fire ant within infested county parks;
(2) Test different types of pesticides for controlling and eradicating the little fire ant;
(3) Develop model strategies to eradicate the threat of little fire ants that other counties can implement; and
(4) Work in close collaboration with the Hawaii ant lab of the Pacific cooperative studies unit of the University of Hawaii.
(b) The little fire ant pilot project shall end on June 30, 2016. The department shall submit a report detailing findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, regarding the pilot project to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.
(c) The county of Hawaii shall have the authority to hire personnel necessary for the little fire ant pilot project. The staff, at a minimum, shall consist of one part-time caretaker II position and two part-time caretaker I positions.
SECTION 3. (a) The Hawaii ant lab of the Pacific cooperative studies unit of the University of Hawaii shall establish and implement a canine detection team pilot project to assist in the detection of new little fire ant populations and the eradication of ant sites.
(b) The canine detection team pilot project shall end on June 30, 2016. The Hawaii ant lab of the Pacific cooperative studies unit of the University of Hawaii shall submit a report detailing findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, regarding the pilot project to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.
SECTION 4. The Hawaii invasive species council shall create a statewide public awareness and education campaign to assist in the prevention and eradication of little fire ants, with an emphasis on testing and detecting the presence of the invasive species in media and materials transported through commerce and travel, including plants, soil, mulch, cinder, vehicles, and equipment.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for a grant-in-aid to the county of Hawaii department of parks and recreation to establish the little fire ant pilot project, including hiring the necessary personnel, pesticides, and equipment, to address the little fire ant threat to Hawaii and develop strategies that can be implemented statewide to eradicate the little fire ant.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the county of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to establish a canine detection team based on the island of Maui, but for statewide use to assist in the detection of little fire ants.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 7. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for a statewide public awareness and education campaign on little fire ants.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii invasive species council for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Little Fire Ants Pilot Project; Canine Detection Team Pilot Project; Public Awareness and Education Campaign; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes and appropriates moneys for a little fire ant pilot project, canine detection team pilot project, and a public awareness and education campaign to address the little fire ant threat in Hawaii.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
