THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2358
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the hawaii invasive species council.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Hawaii invasive species council have declared invasive species to be the single greatest threat to Hawaii's economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people and visitors.  The legislature finds that these threats are becoming more challenging because of environmental and financial factors, and acting now will prevent future, costlier problems.

     The legislature further finds that invasive species include animals, plants, and pathogens found both on land and in the ocean waters.  Notable invasive species are as follows:  little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, coqui frog, albizia and strawberry guava trees, unmanaged grasses, brown tree snake, and stony coral tissue loss disease that could kill all coral reef species if introduced in Hawaii.

     The legislature further finds that the Hawaii invasive species council receives an annual net funding allocation of approximately $5,750,000, of which approximately ninety per cent is redirected towards its competitive grant program.  The remaining modest amount of funding is for the Hawaii invasive species council's operating expenses, overhead, and budget and finance restriction.  This funding allocation has not increased in four years and covers less than fifty per cent of the total amount of competitive grant proposals received.  The need for more funding is exacerbated by inflation, the high cost of doing business in the State, and the need to attract and retain qualified staff with competitive cost-of-living adjustments.  As a result, state funds are largely used only as bridge funding to simply keep these strategic programs viable.  Partner agencies are largely limited to focusing on "invasive species containment" rather than "eradication".

     The purpose of this Act is to increase appropriated funds to the Hawaii invasive species council to ensure its viability to control and eradicate invasive species in the State.

     SECTION 2.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the native resources and fire protection program and the Hawaii invasive species council to address the invasive species crisis.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

 

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title:

HISC; Viability Funding; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to support the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to ensure its long-term viability and prevent future problems.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.

 

 

 

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