Bill > SB658

This bill addresses the critical work of the Hawaii Ant Lab, an organization dedicated to researching, preventing, and managing invasive ant species, specifically little fire ants, in Hawaii. The legislature recognizes that the Hawaii Ant Lab, established in 2009, plays a crucial role in combating rapidly spreading ant infestations across the islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai, but has been struggling with insufficient funding that led to staff furloughs in January 2024. To support the lab's essential work, the bill appropriates an unspecified sum of money from the state's general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, to be expended by the Department of Agriculture. The funds are intended to help the Hawaii Ant Lab continue its labor-intensive efforts of surveying, treating, and monitoring ant infestations, with a particular focus on managing large active infestations, such as those on Kauai that require dedicated on-island teams. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2050, providing long-term support for this critical invasive species management initiative.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=658&year=2026