Bill Text: HI SB1552 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Invasive Species.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-07-05 - Act 217, 07/05/2023 (Gov. Msg. No. 1320). [SB1552 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-SB1552-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1552 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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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 ants are an invasive species that are spreading rapidly throughout the State. Little fire ants have a painful sting that can cause long-lasting itchy rashes or welts and also irritate, and sometimes blind, household pets. Additionally, these pests cause significant disruption and economic damage to Hawaii.
The legislature further finds that the Hawaii ant lab was established in 2009 to address the overwhelming need for research, advice, and technical assistance to address and eradicate rapidly spreading little fire ant infestations. The Hawaii invasive species council and Hawaii department of agriculture provided the majority of funding for the Hawaii ant lab. However, that funding ceased due to budget cuts and the repeal of the agricultural development and food security special fund. The reduction in funding has led to staff having to reduce working hours for parts of 2021 and 2022. While the legislature made a one-time appropriation of $500,000 in 2022 to address the funding shortfall and help the Hawaii ant lab retain its staff, the funding for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 fiscal years is uncertain.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support the Hawaii ant lab in mitigating the effects of little fire ants in the State.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $550,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for LNR402, native resources and fire protection program, to support the Hawaii ant lab in mitigating the effects of little fire ants in the State.
The sums 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, 2023.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
University of Hawaii; Hawaii Ant Lab; Little Fire Ant; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to support the Hawaii ant lab in mitigating the effects of little fire ants in the State.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
