Bill Text: HI SB3042 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Invasive Species.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-03-09 - Referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 36 [SB3042 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SB3042-Amended.html
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3042 |
|
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
S.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
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 the two-lined
spittlebug, prosapia bicincta, is an invasive insect that attacks key forage
grasses used by the livestock ranching industry. In 2016, the State's first two-lined spittlebug
infestation was discovered in Kailua-Kona, on the island of Hawaii, where the pest
had damaged nearly two thousand acres of pasture land. Many high-quality pasture grasses, including Bracharia,
kikuyu, Pangola, St. Augustine, and Bermuda grass are susceptible to P.bicinta attacks. During heavy infestations, dying plant tissues
cascade from the leaves to the roots, ultimately causing whole plant death. The resulting damage does not allow for any regrowth,
requiring ranchers to totally replant affected pastures.
The legislature further finds that two-lined
spittlebug infestations have reduced the quality of some forage pastures in Hawaii
by decreasing their nutritional value, palatability and productivity. Infestations of the pest also promote the establishment
of weeds and lower-quality foraging grasses. Monthly surveys carried out since 2017 on the island
of Hawaii show that the pest is rapidly expanding its range and now covers more
than two hundred and twenty-two square miles.
The legislature recognizes that livestock ranching
is a highly productive and extremely valuable industry on all of Hawaii's major
islands. The State's livestock industry has
an estimated annual value of more than $68,000,000, with over one hundred forty-two
thousand beef cattle on more than one thousand three hundred ranches. Collectively, these ranches cover nearly twenty-five
per cent of the State's land area.
The legislature also recognizes that the expanding
livestock industry serves as an economic engine for the State and a major employer
for local communities. This is particularly
true on the island of Hawaii, where nearly sixty per cent of the State's cattle
are raised. Additionally, seventy per cent
of the beef cattle in Hawaii are raised on sod-forming grasses such as kikuyu and
pangola. Consequently, two-lined spittlebugs
threaten both job and food security in the State, making it crucial to address infestations
and to restrict further spread.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to mitigate and control the two-lined spittlebug and to fund outreach, education, surveillance, treatment, and pest management protocols.
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 department of agriculture to mitigate and control the two-lined spittlebug. The moneys shall be used to fund recovery efforts, including but not limited to reducing the two-lined spittlebug population using insecticides, integrating weed management measures in affected rangelands, and reseeding pastures damaged by infestations.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3.
The department of agriculture shall
submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed
legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular session of 2021.
The report shall document the expenditure
of funds and the progress of activities funded by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
HDOA; Invasive Species; Two-Lined Spittlebug; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates
funds to the Department of Agriculture for its efforts to mitigate and control two-lined
spittlebug infestations in the State. Effective
7/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
