Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and further amend a bill that establishes quarantines of infested areas, strengthening the inspection process for items being shipped to and around Hawaii.

Highlights:

• Establishes quarantines of infested areas, strengthening the inspection process for items being shipped to and around Hawaii (Sec. 1-46).

• Amends and renames the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Department) and the Board of Agriculture as the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Sec. 1-46).

• Establishes a Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity (Sec. 1-46).

• Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms (Sec. 1-46).

• Increases and broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program (Sec. 1-46).

• Authorizes the Department to establish transitional facilities. Requires the Department to certify and train biosecurity compliance auditors to inspect imported plants and animals (Sec. 1-46).

• Requires inspection of various items transported interisland. Increases penalties for illegally transporting plants, animals, and microorganisms (Sec. 1-46).

• Authorizes the Department to enter into government-industry agreements for readiness and response to unwanted organisms in the State (Sec. 1-46).

• Authorizes biosecurity and pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests (Sec. 1-46).

• Requires the Department to establish a pest dashboard by 12/1/2025. Part VI: Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to establish and enforce the Plant Care Component Program (Sec. 1-46).

• Authorizes the Department to assess administrative penalties for the enforcement of the Plant Care Component Program (Sec. 1-46).

• Amends and transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department (Sec. 1-46).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 47).

Full Bill Text