HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2133
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
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. (a) There is established within the department of agriculture a     -year invasive species grant pilot program.

(b) The pilot program shall provide grants to qualified applicants to assist the applicant in the removal of invasive species from the applicant's property under the following terms, conditions, and standards:

(1) The total amount of a grant to any one applicant shall not exceed $          ;

(2) No grant shall be awarded for costs that were incurred prior to application and receipt of a grant by the applicant;

(3) All grant moneys shall be used exclusively for the purposes of eradicating invasive species on property in the State that is owned by the applicant;

(4) The applicant shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other applicable federal or state laws;

(5) The grant shall not be used for the purposes of entertainment or perquisites;

(6) All activities undertaken with grant funds received shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and county statutes and ordinances;

(7) The grantee shall:

(A) Indemnify and hold harmless the State of Hawaii and its officers, agents, and employees from any against any and all claims arising out of or resulting from activities carried out or projects undertaken with funds received from the pilot program; and

(B) Obtain sufficient insurance to provide indemnification under subparagraph (A), if requested to do so by the department of agriculture; and

(8) The grantee shall agree to make available to the department of agriculture all records the grantee may have relating to the grant to monitor the grantee's compliance with the requirements of the pilot program.

(c) The department of agriculture shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to carry out the purposes of this Act, including rules on the standards, policies, and procedures for the administration of the invasive species grant pilot program.

(d) For the purposes of this Act:

"Invasive species" has the same meaning as in section 520A‑2, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

"Qualified applicant" means any person, business, or organization that owns property in the State.

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 2024-2025 to provide grants under the invasive species grant pilot program established by this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No.     , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $           or      per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Invasive Species Grant Pilot Program; DOA; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes an invasive species grant pilot program to provide grants through DOA to individuals, businesses, and organizations for the eradication of invasive species on property located in Hawaii that is owned by the individual, business, or organization.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.