HB 1854 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with Hawaii Ant Lab, to identify and establish best practices for treating little fire ants, which have spread to Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii island since 1999.

• Requires the Department of Agriculture to post identified best practices on its website for public access.

• Prohibits pesticide applications that defeat the best practices for little fire ant treatment as identified by the Department of Agriculture.

• Clarifies that training for invasive species pest control must be based on best available technology and best practices in compliance with state and federal law.

• Takes effect upon approval.