HI SB2566

Appropriates $284,011 from general revenues to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for fiscal year 2018-2019 to fund the National Wildlife Research Center's efforts to manage rose-ringed parakeet populations on Kauai.

Funds will support establishing protocols for pilot studies, conducting up to three field trials of control tools, updating parakeet habitat and dispersal pattern data, developing an effective control plan, and implementing experimental population reduction efforts.

Addresses the invasive rose-ringed parakeet population on Kauai, which has grown from 150-200 birds in 1994 to over 5,000 by 2018, causing significant agricultural damage to crops, property damage, noise complaints, and potential disease transmission risks.

Follows an initial $75,000 appropriation authorized under Act 31, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, which was used to hire a project director and conduct preliminary research and stakeholder engagement.

Takes effect on July 1, 2018.