Hawaii Senate Bill SCR172

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22
• Report Pass: 3/31/22
• Engrossed: 4/1/22
• Refer: 4/4/22
• Report Pass: 4/18/22
• Refer: 4/18/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Expand Quarantine Facilities Administered By The Plant Quarantine Branch.

Impact

The expansion of quarantine facilities would enhance the state's capacity to respond effectively to newly detected invasive species, thereby protecting local crops and biodiversity. The proposed improvements are intended not only to accommodate a growing demand for disease-resistant agricultural stock but also to establish robust mechanisms for managing threats like the coffee leaf rust outbreak. Enhancing the Plant Quarantine Branch's capabilities is seen as a crucial step to ensure that Hawaii maintains its agricultural viability and protects its natural environment.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 172 (SCR172) requests the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to expand the quarantine facilities managed by its Plant Quarantine Branch. The initiative stems from the need to mitigate new invasive species threats, which pose significant risks to the state's agriculture and ecosystem. The resolution acknowledges that Hawaii, being an island state reliant on imported resources, faces unique challenges in safeguarding against invasive pests that could detrimentally impact local agriculture, especially following the recent discovery of the coffee leaf rust pathogen in Hawaii in 2020.

Contention

While the bill is primarily focused on expanding state resources for managing invasive species, there are potential concerns regarding how these expansions might affect local farming practices and funding allocation. Stakeholders in the agricultural sector may have differing views on the management of invasive species versus broader agricultural policy, such as the costs associated with implementing stronger quarantine measures. The resolution aims to align state resources with urgent ecological needs, but balancing agricultural growth and environmental protection remains a point of discussion among lawmakers and constituents.