Bill Text: HI HB772 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Rose-Ringed Parakeet; National Wildlife Research Center; Research and Reduction on Kauai; Appropriations ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Carried over to 2016 Regular Session. [HB772 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB772-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
772 |
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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 the rose-ringed parakeet.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri, native to Africa and India, has been introduced in over thirty-five countries and five continents. Stable populations can be found in Florida, Hawaii, and southern California. The rose-ringed parakeet is considered to be one of the most significant agricultural pests of important food crops. It is gregarious, a dietary generalist, has a high reproductive rate, is well-adapted to living in disturbed and populated areas, and is without predation pressure. The rose-ringed parakeet has proven to be a successful invader and poses a significant threat to local economies by damaging agriculture and to the local ecology by causing invasive plant dispersion and competing with native wildlife.
The first noted release of the rose-ringed parakeet on Kauai occurred in the 1960s by bed-and-breakfast workers in Lawai. By 1982, the feral population had grown to fifty birds when a second pet pair was released after Hurricane Iwa. The rose-ringed parakeet's population on Kauai was estimated to be between one hundred fifty and two hundred in 1994; between five hundred and one thousand by the last decade; and, as estimated by the National Wildlife Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture, more than two thousand by 2011.
Kauai residents complain about the calls and shills from the rose-ringed parakeet. The birds also represent a potential vector of various pathogens and diseases, including avian influenza, avian malaria, and salmonella, that can be passed to humans, pets, and native wildlife through direct contact or in association with droppings below roosting and foraging sites.
The staff of the National Wildlife Research Center have observed the rose-ringed parakeet on Kauai and have concluded that these birds are probably dispersing invasive plant species, including lilikoi, and strawberry and yellow guava; possibly destroying native seeds, including koa and potentially competing with native birds for fruits, seeds, and nesting sites.
The greatest negative effects of the rose-ringed parakeet on Kauai, however, are economic. These parakeets are known for damaging crops and reports from fruit farmers suggest that the parakeets are damaging and reducing the yield of many of their crops, including lychee, longan, and rambutan. In response to reports of damage to crops and reduced yields, the National Wildlife Research Center conducted a two-month research study in 2011 that documented the movement and foraging patterns of the parakeet, contained additional estimates of their population, and identified roost site locations. This study is the only formal research study of the rose-ringed parakeet on Kauai.
Clearly, there is a strong need for more cost-effective means to control the rose-ringed parakeet on Kauai that will benefit economically important crops, reduce the potential for damage to natural resources, and avoid any negative effects on the health and safety of Kauai residents.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of agriculture to provide assistance and funding to the National Wildlife Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture to:
(1) Establish a one-year project to complete the research assessment of the negative impacts of the rose-ringed parakeet on the island of Kauai initiated by the Center in 2011; and
(2) Thereafter, develop and implement a program over a two-year period to effectuate an effective control plan to reduce the negative impacts of the rose-ringed parakeet on the island of Kauai.
SECTION 2. The department of agriculture shall assist and collaborate with the National Wildlife Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture, including by funding the completion of the Center's research study on the rose-ringed parakeet on the island of Kauai and related research, development, and implementation programs to reduce the negative impacts of the parakeet on the island of Kauai.
SECTION 3. 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 the department of agriculture to:
(1) For a one-year period, assist and fund the National Wildlife Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture in completing its research assessment of the negative impacts of the rose-ringed parakeet on the island of Kauai; and
(2) Thereafter, for a two-year period, assist and fund the National Wildlife Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture in developing and implementing an effective control plan for reducing the negative impacts of the rose-ringed parakeet on the island of Kauai.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Rose-Ringed Parakeet; National Wildlife Research Center; Research and Reduction on Kauai; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates funds to the state Department of Agriculture to assist and fund the National Wildlife Research Center to research the negative impacts of the rose-ringed parakeet on Kauai and develop and implement a control plan to reduce the negative impacts.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
