Bill > HB1427

This bill addresses the growing concern of avian influenza (bird flu) in Hawaii by providing funding to the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture to prevent, monitor, and respond to the virus. The legislation highlights that as of January 20, 2025, bird flu has been detected in every state, affecting 928 dairy herds and over 136 million poultry, with the first confirmed case in Hawaii occurring in November 2024 in a backyard flock on Oahu. The bill notes that while the CDC has reported 67 confirmed human cases (primarily among farm workers) and the current public risk is considered low, close monitoring is crucial. The funds will be used to enhance biosecurity, increase testing of birds, humans, and wastewater, and provide public education about bird flu. The legislation appropriates an unspecified amount of general state revenue for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support these efforts, with the departments of health and agriculture responsible for implementing the bill's objectives. Despite being enacted now, the bill is set to take effect on December 31, 2050, which is an unusually distant future date for a legislation addressing an immediate public health concern.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1427&year=2025