HB 2532 Summary

• Appropriates $1,000,000 from general revenues to the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2020-2021 to mitigate and control two-lined spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta) infestations in Hawaii.

• Funds shall support recovery efforts including insecticide application to reduce spittlebug populations, weed management integration in affected rangelands, and reseeding of pastures damaged by infestations.

• Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit a report documenting fund expenditures and activity progress to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2021 regular session.

• Addresses the invasive spittlebug threat to Hawaii's livestock industry, valued at over $68,000,000 annually with more than 142,000 beef cattle on approximately 1,300 ranches covering 25% of the state's land area.

• Takes effect July 1, 2020.