Bill Text: HI SB752 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Agriculture.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-04-24 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-25-19 10:01AM in conference room 224. [SB752 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2019-SB752-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
752 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Alpinia purpurata, known commonly as ornamental ginger, is a popular plant that is commonly used in tropical landscape designs. The plant's red and pink floral brackets are often used as an ornamental cut flower in floral arrangements seen everywhere across the State from Waikiki hotel lobbies to cemeteries. Due to emerging diseases, commercial production of ornamental ginger on Oahu has been on the decline for the past ten years. Flower producers brought their concerns to the attention of the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources, East County Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the department of agriculture. Researchers and extension agents at the college of tropical agriculture and human resources have determined that the three plant viruses affecting commercial ginger production on Oahu are banana bract mosaic virus, canna yellow mottle virus, and banana streak virus. There is also at least one fungal pathogen, marasmius, that may contribute to crop decline and plant death. In 2018, field tours of the affected areas were made with members of the three agricultural agencies. Department of agriculture pathologists detected the presence of Phomopsis sp., Diaporthe sp., Glomerella sp., Colletotrichum sp., Phoma sp., Cladosporium sp., Fusarium spp., Cladobotryum sp., Alternaria sp., Acremonium sp., Monilinia sp., Macrophoma sp., Cephalosporium sp., and an unidentified bacterium. Currently, it is unknown which pathogen is the causal agent of the new and devastating crop decline of ornamental ginger in windward Oahu.
The legislature further finds that producers in the affected areas are excavating their lands, as they can no longer economically produce ornamental ginger in these areas. Neighboring farmers and off-island clientele are concerned about the spread of the viral, fungal, and unidentified bacterial pathogens and asked the department of agriculture to quarantine the movement of plants from these areas. In 2018, University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources personnel met with department of agriculture officials. Collectively, the multi-agency task force agreed that more diagnostic work and statewide survey information were needed before quarantine could be established by the department of agriculture. Reports of crop decline, which originally started in the Kahaluu area of Oahu, have spread to surrounding areas such as Waiahole and Waikane valley. Without more research and a multi-agency outreach approach, these pathogens could quickly spread statewide and affect the profitability and long-term sustainability of the local ornamental and landscape production industries.
The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for statewide research and prevention of pathogens affecting ornamental ginger.
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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for statewide research and prevention of the spread of ornamental ginger pathogens.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Ornamental Ginger; University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Appropriation
Description:
Makes an appropriation to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources for research and prevention of the spread of ornamental ginger pathogens. 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.
