Bill Text: HI SB2082 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Invasive Plant Species Control.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-03-09 - Referred to LHE, FIN, referral sheet 36 [SB2082 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2082-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2082 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to invasive plant species CONTROL.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that invasive, alien plant species have become a serious threat to the unique flora and fauna of the Hawaiian islands. Invasive species have taken over the habitats of many native Hawaiian plants and animals, threatening or even causing their extinction, as well as soil erosion and numerous other problems.
The legislature further finds that most invasive plant species are introduced nursery or landscape plants. The main reason they become invasive is because they are prolific seed producers. Landscapers are reluctant to stop using many invasive plants due to the importance of beautiful resort landscapes used for the State's tourism-oriented economy and the lack of appropriate substitutes for many of the invasive plants.
According to the legislative reference bureau in its 2002 report, "Filling the Gaps in the Fight Against Invasive Species", the State spent $8,497,500 in 1999 and another $11,087,380 in 2000 to fight invasive species. Miconia is one of the most damaging ornamental species. According to a 2006 report by Brooks A. Kaiser, the present values of damage from accommodating invasive Miconia calvescens in Hawaii, rather than eradicating or controlling its spread, over the span of fifty, one hundred, and two hundred-year horizons are estimated at $47,000,000, $1,740,000,000, and $2,360,000,000 losses in economic welfare, respectively.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources have developed techniques to produce seedless plants, which are vegetatively propagated. Once sterilized, important nursery plants can be grown and used for landscaping without any possibility that these plants will reproduce and become invasive.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to develop or identify a substitute for invasive plant species.
SECTION 2. 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 2020-2021 for the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to develop or identify a substitute, which may include a sterile, non-seed-producing form, for invasive plant species.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Invasive Plant Species; Substitute; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to develop or identify a substitute for invasive plant species.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
