S.B. 2327 Summary

• Requires the Department of Agriculture to develop and implement a program to obtain, screen, propagate, and distribute disease- and insect-free tropical plant materials to Hawaii farmers.

• Department must diagnostically screen tropical plant materials from in-state and out-of-state sources to ensure they are free of harmful insects and diseases before distribution.

• Department shall consult with tropical flower and foliage growers and agricultural research entities when developing the program.

• Department must adopt administrative rules by January 1, 2024 specifying plant species requiring additional regulations and establishing quarantine requirements, diagnostic measures, and import requirements.

• Appropriates unspecified funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2022-2023 to develop and implement the program, effective July 1, 2022.