URGING THE STATE, COUNTIES, AND OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE INCREASED AND SUSTAINED FUNDING TO THE INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEES AND HAWAIʻI ANT LAB WITHIN THE PACIFIC COOPERATIVE STUDIES UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mahina Poepoe

HR 126 urges increased funding for invasive species management in Hawaii, enhancing efforts to protect ecosystems, agriculture, and public health from invasive threats.

Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1807), recommending adoption.

#biosecurity #funding #invasivespeciescommittees

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HR 126

Title: Urging the State, Counties, and Other Relevant Agencies to Provide Increased and Sustained Funding to the Invasive Species Committees and Hawaiʻi Ant Lab within the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Status: Reported from the Finance Committee (FIN) with a recommendation for adoption.

Introduced: January 3, 2025

Classification: Resolution

Subject: Biosecurity, Funding, Invasive Species Committees

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of HR 126 is to advocate for enhanced and ongoing financial support for the Invasive Species Committees and the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab. These entities play a crucial role in managing and mitigating the impact of invasive species in Hawaii, which pose significant threats to the state's unique ecosystems, agriculture, and public health.

Key Provisions

Funding Urgency: The resolution emphasizes the need for increased and sustained funding to ensure the effectiveness of invasive species management efforts.

Targeted Agencies: It specifically calls upon state and county governments, as well as relevant agencies, to allocate necessary resources to the Invasive Species Committees and the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab.

Collaboration with University of Hawai‘i: The resolution highlights the importance of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in addressing invasive species challenges.

Impact

Affected Entities: The resolution will directly impact the Invasive Species Committees and the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, enabling them to enhance their research, outreach, and management programs.

Broader Implications: By supporting these initiatives, the resolution aims to protect Hawaii's biodiversity, agricultural productivity, and overall environmental health, which are vital to the state's economy and quality of life.

Legislative Timeline

January 3, 2025: Introduced and referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

March 18, 2025: Re-referred to the Agriculture (AGR) and Finance (FIN) committees.

March 21, 2025: AGR committee recommended the measure be passed with amendments.

March 27, 2025: Report adopted and referred to FIN.

March 31, 2025: FIN committee recommended that the measure be passed unamended.

April 3, 2025: Resolution adopted in final form, with some representatives voting no or excused.

Related Legislation

HCR 130: A companion resolution that may address similar issues regarding invasive species management.

This summary provides a concise overview of HR 126, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impacts on invasive species management in Hawaii. The resolution underscores the importance of sustained funding to protect the state's unique environment from the threats posed by invasive species.

Bill