Bill Text: HI HB2131 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 2131

Bill Title: Relating To The Two-lined Spittlebug.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-04-25 - Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-26-24 9:15AM in conference room 325. [HB2131 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2131-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2131
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the two-lined spittlebug is an invasive insect that destroys 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 ravaged nearly two thousand acres of pastureland. Grasses damaged by two-lined spittlebug infestations are often unsalvageable and must be replanted.

The legislature further finds that two-lined spittlebug infestations have reduced the quality of forage pastures in Hawaii by reducing their nutritional value, palatability, and productivity. Infestations of the pest also promote the establishment of weeds and lower-quality forage grasses. Monthly surveys conducted on the island of Hawaii since 2017 indicate that the two-lined spittlebug is rapidly spreading across the island and, as of September 2021, infested more than two hundred seventy-eight square miles of land.

The legislature further finds that livestock ranching is a highly productive and extremely valuable industry on all of Hawaii's major islands. The State's livestock industry annually produces an estimated value of more than $68,000,000 with more than one hundred forty-two thousand beef cattle on more than one thousand three hundred ranches. Collectively, these ranches cover more than twenty per cent of the State's land area.

The legislature further finds that the expanding livestock industry serves as an economic engine for the State and as 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 is raised. Additionally, seventy per cent of all beef cattle in the State are raised on sod-forming grasses, such as kikuyu and pangola. It is crucial that the State addresses the threat of the two-lined spittlebug and restrict its spread, as it harms Hawaii's livestock industry, employment, and food security.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the mitigation and control of the two-lined spittlebug and for the recovery of areas affected by infestation.

SECTION 2. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 3. 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 2024-2025 for the department of agriculture to:

(1) Mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug and undertake recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two-line spittlebug; and

(2) Take measures, including the use of insecticides, weed management, and reseeding of pastures, as necessary, to reduce the population of the two-lined spittlebug and assist in recovery efforts.

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

SECTION 4. The appropriation made by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2026, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 5. The department of agriculture shall submit an interim 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 2025. The department of agriculture shall submit a final 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 2027. The reports shall:

(1) Itemize the expenditures of moneys appropriated by this Act; and

(2) Discuss the progress of activities to mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

HDOA; Invasive Species; Control and Mitigation; Two-Lined Spittlebug; Report; Appropriation; General Fund Expenditure Ceiling Exceeded

Description:

Declares that the appropriation exceeds the state general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024-2025. Appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture to mitigate and control the spread of the 2-lined spittlebug and to fund recovery efforts for areas affected by it. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

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