RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, after nearly being eradicated six decades ago, bedbugs are appearing in growing numbers throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, the National Pest Management Association indicates they have received reports of bedbugs in 43 states; and

WHEREAS, changing pest control practices that favor non-toxic alternatives is believed to have contributed to the current bedbug problem; and

WHEREAS, increased world travel has also been a factor in the re-emergence of bedbugs, which are easily transported in a suitcase and can survive for long periods without food; and

WHEREAS, nationally, a number of hotels with bedbug problems have had to deal with frustrated visitors and negative publicity; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's visitor industry and residents alike are susceptible to the increasing incidence of bedbugs and the exorbitant costs related to their control and extermination; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the Director of Health is requested to conduct a prevention and education campaign on the increasing incidence of bedbugs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health is requested to work with the Hawaii Tourism Authority to ensure that hotels and other visitor industry accommodations provide adequate information relating to bedbugs, and that hotels and other visitor accommodations are themselves provided with accurate information regarding bedbugs from appropriate health officials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.

Report Title:

Bedbugs; Department of Health