Bill Text: HI HB1849 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Invasive Species.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 22-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-05 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) McDermott, Saiki excused (2). [HB1849 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-HB1849-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1849 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
H.D. 1 |
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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 little fire ant populations have been spreading quickly across the island of Hawaii and are now widespread in West Hawaii. To address this growing problem, in 2018, the legislature appropriated $200,000 to the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to establish a Hawaii Ant Lab West Hawaii office and to increase capacity by funding an extension agent position to staff the office.
The legislature further finds that since the opening of the Hawaii Ant Lab West Hawaii office, the office has been inundated with calls and requests for assistance from the West Hawaii community. In the Hawaii Ant Lab's most recent quarterly report for July 2019 to September 2019, the office reports having received over two hundred fifty inquiries via phone, electronic mail, mail, and walk-ins; received and examined one hundred twenty-two ant samples, of which sixty-five were positively identified to be little fire ants; conducted six farm visit/training sessions; organized two educational community presentations; hosted booths at community events; and provided ongoing assistance to Kaloko-Honokohau National Park and Kohanaiki Resort with eradication efforts of little fire ants on sixteen acres. The legislature recognizes that all of this work falls upon a single employee.
Given the immense workload and the clear need for additional staff hours at the Hawaii Ant Lab West Hawaii office, it is evident that additional support staff is needed to meet the responsibilities of this office.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to establish an additional extension agent position within the Hawaii Ant Lab West Hawaii office.
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 one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) extension agent position for the Hawaii Ant Lab West Hawaii office.
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, 2150.
Report Title:
Hawaii Ant Lab; West Hawaii Office; Extension Agent Position; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) extension agent position for the Hawaii Ant Lab West Hawaii Office. Effective July 1, 2150. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
