Bill Text: HI SB2907 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Invasive Species.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2022-04-27 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-27-22 6:00PM; Conference Room 325. [SB2907 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2907-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2907 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
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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 Hawai‘i's geographic location renders the State susceptible to invasive species that negatively impact the unique, natural biodiversity of the islands. The legislature supports the Hawai‘i invasive species council, which was established in 2003 to provide policy-level direction, coordination, and planning among state departments, federal agencies, and international and local initiatives for the control and eradication of harmful invasive species infestations throughout the State. The Hawai‘i invasive species council fulfills its mandate by issuing resolutions, providing plans, and strategically disbursing funds to enhance invasive species prevention, control, outreach, and research.
The legislature
further finds that the Hawai‘i
invasive species council has effectively mitigated nonindigenous fungal pathogens
introduced to Hawai‘i--specifically,
rapid ‘ōhi‘a death, which was first identified on Hawai‘i island in 2014. In 2015,
the Hawai‘i invasive species council awarded funds
to the University of Hawai‘i to support a post-doctoral researcher
to assist an interagency team of scientists in the Hilo area to study how the disease
is transmitted and to find potential treatment options. Additionally, the legislature finds that the interagency
effort spearheaded by the Hawai‘i invasive species council provided a
comprehensive response to rapid ‘ōhi‘a death that produced hundreds of educated volunteers statewide on
how to collect ‘ōhi‘a seeds to further conserve the species.
Unfortunately, in 2020, the coffee leaf rust
pathogen was discovered for the first time in the United States on the islands of
Hawai‘i and Maui. The legislature finds that coffee leaf rust causes
severe defoliation that greatly reduces the photosynthetic capacity of the coffee
plants. Long-term effects of coffee leaf
rust may include dieback, which has a significant impact on the following year's
yield and causes an estimated thirty per cent to eighty per cent loss if not properly
treated. The legislature further finds that
efforts to control coffee leaf rust are critical to sustaining the coffee industry--which
nets over $54,300,000 in revenue annually--and the State must continue to support
these efforts.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the Hawai‘i invasive species council to classify coffee leaf rust as an invasive species in its administrative rules in order to utilize available funding for mitigation efforts, research, and prevention or control actions for coffee leaf rust.
SECTION 2. The Hawai‘i invasive species council shall classify coffee leaf rust as an invasive species in its administrative rules. The Hawai‘i invasive species council shall further direct available funding for mitigation efforts, research, and prevention or control actions for coffee leaf rust.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Administrative Rules; Coffee Leaf Rust
Description:
Requires the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to classify coffee leaf rust as an invasive species in its administrative rules and to direct available funding for mitigation efforts, research, and prevention or control actions for coffee leaf rust.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
