HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2431

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE LITTLE FIRE ANT.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  An invasive species, Wasmannia auropunctata, commonly known as the "little fire ant", was first discovered in this State on the island of Hawaii in 1999.  The little fire ant has since been found on Kauai, Maui, and Oahu.  Little fire ants can invade agricultural areas and nurseries, as well as yards and homes.  Little fire ant stings to livestock and pets can cause blindness, and the stings can cause large, painful welts which last for several days.  Little fire ants have also been known to kill hatchlings of ground-nesting birds and sea turtles.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the creation of a statewide public awareness campaign by the Hawaii invasive species council.  The public awareness campaign would assist in the prevention and eradication of little fire ants, with an emphasis on testing and detecting the presence of this invasive species in trees, plants, soil, and mulch.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to the Hawaii invasive species council for a statewide public awareness and education campaign on little fire ants.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii Invasive Species Council; Little Fire Ants; Appropriations

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii invasive species council for the creation of a statewide public awareness campaign on the little fire ant.

 

 

 

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