SB652 HD1

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the two-lined spittlebug is an invasive insect that attacks key forage grasses used by the livestock ranching industry. In 2016, the State's first two-lined spittlebug infestation was discovered in Kailua‑Kona on the island of Hawaii, where the pest damaged nearly two thousand acres of pastureland. Grasses damaged by two-lined spittlebug infestations are often completely destroyed by the pests and must be replanted.

The legislature further finds that two-lined spittlebug infestations have reduced the quality of forage pastures in Hawaii by reducing their nutritional value, palatability, and productivity. Infestations of the pest also promote the establishment of weeds and lower-quality foraging grasses. Monthly surveys conducted on the island of Hawaii since 2017 show that the two-lined spittlebug is rapidly expanding and, as of September 2021, infested more than two hundred seventy-eight square miles of land.

The legislature further finds that livestock ranching is a highly productive and extremely valuable industry on all of Hawaii's major islands. The State's livestock industry produces an estimated annual value of more than $68,000,000, with more than one hundred forty-two thousand beef cattle on more than one thousand three hundred ranches. Collectively, these ranches cover more than twenty per cent of the State's land area.

The legislature further finds that the expanding livestock industry serves as an economic engine for the State and is a major employer for local communities. This situation is particularly true on the island of Hawaii, where nearly sixty per cent of the State's cattle are raised. Additionally, seventy per cent of all beef cattle in Hawaii are raised on sod-forming grasses, such as kikuyu and pangola. Consequently, two-lined spittlebugs threaten jobs and food security in the State, making it crucial to address infestations and restrict their further spread.

The legislature further finds that feral chickens and pigs have become a persistent nuisance in agricultural districts destroying food crops and also in suburban and urban residential communities. These feral animals wander into yards and gardens and damage food crops and leave droppings that create unsanitary conditions that pose food safety or other health concerns.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of agriculture to:

(1) Mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug and undertake recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two-lined spittlebug; and

(2) Establish a five-year pilot program to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and pigs throughout the State.

SECTION 2. (a) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024, the department of agriculture shall submit to the legislature an interim report on its control and mitigation of the two-lined spittlebug and recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two‑lined spittlebug. No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026, the department of agriculture shall submit a final report on the foregoing matters to the legislature. The reports shall:

(1) Document the expenditure of moneys appropriated by this Act;

(2) Discuss the progress of activities to mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug; and

(3) Provide any relevant findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.

(b) The department of agriculture shall establish a five‑year pilot program to provide traps to members of the public to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and pigs throughout the State. No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026, the department of agriculture shall submit an interim report regarding the pilot program to the legislature. No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2028, the department of agriculture shall submit a final report to the legislature. The reports shall include, at a minimum, the department's:

(1) Findings and recommendations relating to the five-year pilot program, including any proposed legislation; and

(2) Recommendation on whether the five-year pilot program should be extended.

SECTION 3. 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 for the department of agriculture to:

(1) Mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug and undertake recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two-lined spittlebug;

(2) Take measures, including the use of insecticides, weed management, and reseeding pastures, as necessary to reduce the population of two-lined spittlebugs and assist in recovery efforts; and

(3) Establish a five-year pilot program to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and pigs throughout the State; provided that the pilot program shall include the provision of traps free-of-charge to members of the public to capture the feral animals; collection of traps containing the captured feral animals; and return of empty traps to the members of the public by the department of agriculture.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.

Report Title:

Invasive Species; Control and Mitigation; Two-lined Spittlebug; Feral Chickens and Pigs; Pilot Program; Department of Agriculture; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of agriculture to mitigate and control infestations of the two-lined spittlebug, undertake recovery efforts for lands damaged by the two-lined spittlebug, and establish a five-year pilot program to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and pigs throughout the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

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

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	652
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1