HI HB353

Appropriates $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 from the agricultural development and food security special fund to the United States Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center for research and development of methods to prevent and treat coffee berry borer beetle infestations.

Appropriates $330,000 for fiscal year 2013-2014 from the agricultural development and food security special fund as a grant to the coffee berry borer task force to control and mitigate damage from coffee berry borer infestations, with a requirement that funds be matched by private or other government sources.

Directs the Department of Agriculture to expend funds for the research appropriation and the University of Hawaii to expend funds for the task force grant.

Addresses the coffee berry borer infestation affecting over 90 percent of coffee farms in the Kona region, which threatens Hawaii's coffee industry and agricultural tourism sector.

Takes effect July 1, 2013.