Report Title:

Appropriation; Invasive Species

Description:

Appropriates $1 million to fight specific types of invasive species that are impacting the agricultural industry.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2247

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE CONTROL OF INVASIVE SPECIES.

 

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

SECTION 1. Invasive species are a major problem for Hawaii's environment and economy. The agricultural industry, especially the livestock industry, must fight many invasive species that adversely affect pasturelands - including fireweed. Fireweed is an extremely poisonous and aggressive weed that invades overgrazed and drought ridden pastures. Fireweed is toxic to cattle, horses, and other livestock and causes liver and neurological damage that can kill within weeks or months of ingestion. Fireweed is also a threat to Hawaiian plants.

Other invasive species that have directly impacted the farming industry include the coqui frog, fire ant, and the nettle caterpillar.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to assist the agricultural industry in fighting invasive species.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, to fight specific invasive species, including the fireweed, the coqui frog, fire ant, and the nettle caterpillar that are negatively impacting Hawaii's agricultural industry.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________