Appropriates funds to establish a coqui frog eradication program on the island of Hawaii.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the mayor of Hawaii county has issued a declaration of emergency regarding the proliferation of the coqui frog on the island of Hawaii. Since first sighted on the island in the early 1990s, the coqui frog infestations have been rapidly multiplying and now account for over one hundred fifty confirmed coqui frog sites.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a multi-agency coqui frog eradication program to combat the coqui frog.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii, the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the purpose of establishing a coqui frog eradication program to eradicate or control the proliferation of the coqui frog on the island of Hawaii.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.