Hawaiʻi Biosecurity Efforts Get Record Funding

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

55% : "From the Department of Ag news release:The record level of funding was made possible by the signing of HB 1800 (Act 230, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi (SLH) 2024), the supplemental budget bill for fiscal year 2025.Through Act 230, SLH 2024, state general fund appropriations will increase from $6.2 million to $9.2 million.
50% : Act 231, SLH 2024, provides $10 million for targeted biosecurity initiatives on invasive species control for the following species:Coconut Rhinoceros BeetlesEquipment (drones), chemicals, nets, community engagement - $1.2 millionGreen waste management - $800,000Compost reimbursement - $400,000Brown Tree Snakes - $240,000Little Fire Ants - $1.5 millionCoqui Frogs - $74,355Two-Lined Spittlebugs - $600,000Rose-Ringed Parakeets - $300,000To bolster the department's efforts, an additional $670,485 has been appropriated for the hiring of positions created include plant quarantine inspectors, entomologists, plant pathologists, planners, environmental health specialists, noxious weed specialists and other support staff.

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