H.R. 28 Summary

• Requests Hawaii Department of Agriculture to expeditiously adopt permanent rules restricting importation of Myrtaceae family plants to protect against Puccinia psidii (ohia rust).

• Urges U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to favorably review and act on Hawaii's 2012 Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis petition regarding Puccinia psidii.

• Establishes that new strains of Puccinia psidii pose significant threat to native Hawaiian forests (approximately 80% comprised of ohia), endangered species habitat, freshwater resources, and horticultural/agricultural industries.

• Notes that while only one strain of the rust fungus currently exists in Hawaii, other more virulent strains known to exist elsewhere could devastate ohia and other Myrtaceae species if introduced.

• Directs transmission of the resolution to federal agencies including the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Hawaii's congressional delegation.