Bill Text: HI SB652 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Agriculture.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-04-28 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-23 4:30PM; Conference Room 309. [SB652 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-SB652-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
652 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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:
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 foraging grasses. Monthly surveys conducted on the island of Hawaii since 2017 show that the two-lined spittlebug is rapidly expanding and, as of September 2021, infests 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 produces an estimated annual 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 is 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 are raised. Additionally, seventy per cent of all beef cattle in Hawaii are raised on sod-forming grasses, such as kikuyu and pangola. Consequently, two-lined spittlebugs threaten jobs and food security in the State, making it crucial to address infestations and restrict their further spread.
The legislature further finds that feral chickens, roosters, and pigs have become a persistent nuisance, particularly in suburban and urban residential communities. These feral animals wander into yards and gardens, digging up plants, damaging food crops, and jeopardizing native plants and resources, including endangered and threatened species; leave droppings that create unsanitary conditions that become a health concern; and have led to numerous noise and odor complaints by residents. The noticeable increase in the number of feral chickens, roosters, and pigs also creates a road hazard for drivers who must suddenly stop or swerve to avoid them.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to 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-lined spittlebug; and
(2) Establish a five-year pilot program to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens, roosters, and pigs throughout the State.
SECTION 2.
(a) The department of agriculture
shall submit an interim report on its control and mitigation of the two-lined
spittlebug and recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two‑lined
spittlebug to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening
of the regular session of 2024; and shall submit a final
report on the foregoing matters to the legislature no later than twenty
days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026. The reports shall:
(1) Document the expenditure of moneys appropriated by this Act;
(2) Discuss the progress of activities to mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug; and
(3) Provide any relevant findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.
(b) The department of agriculture shall establish a five‑year pilot program to provide traps to members of the public to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens, roosters, and pigs throughout the State; and submit an interim report regarding the pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026, and a final report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior the convening of the regular session of 2028. The reports shall include, at a minimum, the department's:
(1) Findings and recommendations relating to the five-year pilot program, including any proposed legislation; and
(2) Recommendation on whether the five-year pilot program should be extended.
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 2023-2024 and the same sum 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-lined spittlebug;
(2) Take measures, including the use of insecticides, weed management, and reseeding pastures, as necessary to reduce the population of two-lined spittlebugs and assist in recovery efforts; and
(3) Establish a five-year pilot program to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens, roosters, and pigs throughout the State; provided that the pilot program shall include the provision of traps free-of-charge to members of the public to capture the feral animals; collection of traps containing the captured feral animals; and return of empty traps to the member of the public by the department of agriculture.
The sums 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, 2050.
Report Title:
Invasive Species; Control and Mitigation; Two-Lined Spittlebug; Feral Chickens, Roosters, and Pigs; Five-Year Pilot Program; Department of Agriculture; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates moneys to the Department of Agriculture to mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug, undertake recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two-lined spittlebug, and establish a five-year pilot program to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens, roosters, and pigs throughout the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. 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.
