Bill > HB775

This bill appropriates $19,780,660 to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support 44 full-time equivalent (FTE) permanent positions related to agricultural biosecurity, established under a previous Act 231. The funding covers a wide range of agricultural protection and invasive species management programs, including positions such as Plant Quarantine Inspectors, Entomologists, Environmental Health Specialists, and roles focused on specific pest responses like Brown Tree Snake Rapid Response, Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response, Little Fire Ants Response, and Coqui Frog Response. The bill also includes funding for additional initiatives like a Public Awareness Campaign, Green Waste management, Compost Reimbursement, and Biosecurity Facility Planning. The positions are spread across different program units within the Department of Agriculture, with most positions being specialized roles aimed at protecting Hawaii's agricultural ecosystems from various biological threats. The bill specifies that these funds will be used to support these positions and their associated programs, with the ultimate goal of maintaining and improving agricultural biosecurity in Hawaii.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=775&year=2026