HONOLULU — House Bill 2619 that would appropriate nearly $20 million to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, was passed by the Hawaii State Legislature late Thursday after extensive discussion, according to a news release.

What You Need To Know

  • Under the bill, the HDOA is designated as the lead agency that will coordinate the state’s biosecurity efforts and authorizes the department to implement projects with partner agencies and private organizations

  • The measure also pays homage to the late State Representative Clift Tsuji, who championed funding for HDOA and the state’s biosecurity program in what became known as the “Clift Tsuji Act”

If the bill is passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, the funding will boost the department’s biosecurity programs that prevent invasive pests from entering the state and works to control and eliminate pests threatening Hawaii’s agriculture and environment. The bill awaits the final vote.

“This is landmark legislation in the fight against invasive species,” said Gov. Josh Green in a news release. “The pests that we are dealing with now are having a devastating impact across the state and with this legislative support, we can do better in protecting our ʻāina, agriculture and our way of life.”

Under the bill, the HDOA is designated as the lead agency that will coordinate the state’s biosecurity efforts and authorizes the department to implement projects with partner agencies and private organizations. The bill also provides for 44 additional positions that include 22 inspector positions in the Plant Quarantine Branch.

“Everyone can agree that the management of the biosecurity programs need improvement and we cannot thank our state legislators enough for their concern and hard work on this bill,” said Hawaii Board of Agriculture Chairperson Sharon Hurd. She said there would be better coordination, transparency and accountability with one department directing the different programs.

“HDOA is revitalized with the trust that the legislature has placed in us and our staff is committed to making stronger headway in the prevention and management of invasive species,” added Hurd. “The cooperation between our partner agencies and organizations remains extremely important as we all have the common goal to protect Hawai‘i.”

The measure also pays homage to the late State Representative Clift Tsuji, who championed funding for HDOA and the state’s biosecurity program in what became known as the “Clift Tsuji Act,” according to the release.

HB 2619 earmarks funding as follows:

(Courtesy of Hawaii Department of Agriculture)

Bill provisions include:

• HDOA is required to increase transparency by posting real-time updates with pest infestation data including date, location, activities performed and names of staff and organizations involved.

• All pest control activities must be reported in advance to HDOA’s Pesticides Branch and authorizes pesticide inspectors to perform inspections to ensure compliance with pesticide regulations.

• Funding for programs is included to increase local food production to lessen the risk of imported pests.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.