Bill Text: HI SB948 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relating To Invasive Species.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-03-24 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Ilagan excused (1). [SB948 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2023-SB948-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	948
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the albizia tree is an invasive species that can grow up to one hundred fifty feet tall.  The tree adapts to grow in nutrient deficient soils, produces large quantities of wind-dispersed seeds, and grows at a very rapid rate, gaining up to fifteen feet in height each year.  It can very quickly disrupt and replace native ecosystems and can easily take over a cleared area in just a few years.  The tree is currently widespread on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island, and is also established on Lanai.

     The legislature further finds that albizia trees have very brittle trunks and limbs that are structurally weak and are prone to "sudden limb shear," a phenomenon in which live branches collapse without warning or apparent cause.  These collapses can occur even if the tree appears to be healthy.  This phenomenon, combined with the tree's large size and fast growth, gives the tree the potential to cause major damage to property, infrastructure, and even human lives. 

     The dangers posed by albizia trees were made clear in August 2014, when strong winds from tropical storm Iselle toppled thousands of albizia trees in Puna, blocking roads and disrupting power lines.  This caused tens of thousands of people to be stranded in Puna for weeks without power and made it difficult for first responders to access people in need of emergency services.  Surveys found that much of the storm damage, which was estimated to cost between $148,000,000 and $325,00,000, could be attributed to albizia trees. 

     The legislature finds that the State must make a long-term investment of resources now to prevent future natural disasters from being aggravated by albizia trees.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the removal of hazardous albizia trees that potentially threaten public and private land.

     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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to allow the division of forestry and wildlife to coordinate the removal of hazardous albizia trees that potentially threaten public and private land.

     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, 2050.

 

Report Title:

DLNR; Division of Forestry and Wildlife; Albizia Trees; Invasive Species; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to allow the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to coordinate the removal of hazardous albizia trees that potentially threaten public and private land.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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