The Hawai’i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) received support from the State Legislature in the form of H.B. 2619, which boosts the department’s biosecurity programs that prevent invasive pests from entering the state and helps to control and eradicate pests that threaten Hawai‘i’s agriculture and environment.
The bill, which appropriates almost $20 million, was recently passed by a legislative conference committee after extensive discussion and consideration. The bill awaits a final vote by the Senate and House of Representatives.
Under the bill, the legislature designates the HDOA as the lead agency in coordinating the state’s biosecurity efforts and authorizes the department to execute agreements with partner agencies and private organizations. The bill provides HDOA an additional 44 positions, including 22 inspector positions in the Plant Quarantine Branch.
The measure also pays homage to the late State Representative Clift Tsuji, who championed funding for the HDOA and the state’s biosecurity program through what became known as the “Clift Tsuji Act.”
HB 2619 earmarks funding as follows:
| 44 additional positions | $3,180,660 |
| Risk Assessments | $1,000,000 |
| Pest Management Systems Approach | $1,200,000 |
| Brown Tree Snake Rapid Response | $1,100,000 |
| Pest Diagnostics | $500,000 |
| Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response | $1,500,000 |
| Green Waste | $1,000,000 |
| Compost Reimbursement | $500,000 |
| Public Awareness Campaign | $2,000,000 |
| Little Fire Ants Response | $2,500,000 |
| Coqui Frog Response | $100,000 |
| Invasive Species Outreach | $100,000 |
| Tech Upgrades | $2,000,000 |
| Import Replacement Fund | $500,000 |
| Biosecurity Facility Planning | $1,500,000 |
| Rose-ringed Parakeet Control | $300,000 |
| Two-lined Spittlebug Control | $800,000 |
| Feral Chicken Control | $200,000 |
| TOTAL | $19,980,660 |
Other provisions of the bill:
- Requires HDOA increase transparency by posting real-time updates with pest infestation data including date, location, activities performed, including the names of staff and organizations involved;
- Requires all pest control activities be reported in advance to HDOA’s Pesticides Branch and authorizes pesticide inspectors to perform inspections to ensure compliance with pesticide regulations; and
- Includes funding for programs that increase local food production to lessen the risk of imported pests.