SB 1190: Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Appropriation

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 was established in 2003 to provide policy level direction, coordination, and planning among federal agencies, state departments, and international and local initiatives for the control and eradication of harmful invasive species infestations throughout the State and to prevent the introduction of other potentially harmful invasive species.  However, the initiatives of the Hawaii invasive species council remain underfunded.

     The legislature further finds that invasive species are the single greatest threat to the State's economy, natural environment, food security, and local communities.  Additional funding for the Hawaii invasive species council would assist in the establishment of species-specific response teams on each island and increase the capacity of on-the-ground response efforts for high-impact pests like little fire ants, coqui frogs, and coconut rhinoceros beetles that continue to spread throughout the State. 

     The legislature also finds that, with adequate funding, Maui has drastically reduced and nearly eradicated a little fire ant infestation that encompassed one hundred forty-two acres by utilizing innovative new control tools and techniques.  Additional funding for the Hawaii invasive species council would also support research projects at the university of Hawaii and other research institutions to continue to develop new tools and technology for invasive species detection, prevention, and management. 

     To align with the special purpose of the Hawaii invasive species council, a portion of the additional funding should also be reserved to support rapid response efforts to new pest incursions.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the Hawaii invasive species council to support its initiatives to control and eradicate invasive species in the State.

     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 2026-2027 for the Hawaii invasive species council to support its initiatives to control and eradicate invasive species in the State.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to support its initiatives to control and eradicate invasive species 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.

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 was established in 2003 to provide policy level direction, coordination, and planning among federal agencies, state departments, and international and local initiatives for the control and eradication of harmful invasive species infestations throughout the State and to prevent the introduction of other potentially harmful invasive species.  However, the initiatives of the Hawaii invasive species council remain underfunded.

     The legislature further finds that invasive species are the single greatest threat to Hawaii's economy, natural environment, food security, and local communities.  Additional funding for the Hawaii invasive species council would assist in the establishment of species-specific response teams on each island and increase the capacity of on-the-ground response efforts for high-impact pests like little fire ants, coqui frogs, and coconut rhinoceros beetles that continue to spread throughout the State. 

     The legislature also finds that, with adequate funding, Maui has drastically reduced and nearly eradicated a little fire ant infestation that encompassed one hundred forty-two acres by utilizing innovative new control tools and techniques.  Additional funding for the Hawaii invasive species council would also support research projects at the university of Hawaii and other research institutions to continue to develop new tools and technology for invasive species detection, prevention, and management. 

     To align with the special purpose of the Hawaii invasive species council, a portion of the additional funding should also be reserved to support rapid response efforts to new pest incursions.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the Hawaii invasive species council to support its initiatives to control and eradicate invasive species in the State.

     SECTION 2.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Hawaii invasive species council to support its initiatives to control and eradicate invasive species in the State.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to support its initiatives to control and eradicate invasive species 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.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2618

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 1190

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1190 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to support its initiatives to control and eradicate invasive species in the State.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Health; The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiʻi and Palmyra; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee; and four individuals.

     Your Committees find that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council is a cross-jurisdictional partnership that coordinates statewide strategies to prevent, detect, and control invasive species that threaten the State's biodiversity, agriculture, natural resources, and economy.  Because the State's species evolved in extreme isolation, they are particularly vulnerable to aggressive invasive plants, animals, and pathogens introduced through global travel and trade.  Maintaining a strong, unified, and science-driven invasive species response and eradication program is critical in protecting the State's habitats and economic stability.  This measure will provide the Hawaii Invasive Species Council with funding that will allow it to continue its initiatives to control and eradicate invasive species.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation amount from $4,250,000 to an unspecified amount to encourage further discussion;

     (2)  Updating dates to reflect the current legislative session;

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1190, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1190, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment,