SB 646 Summary

• Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for statewide research into ornamental ginger pathogens, prevention of pathogen spread, production and distribution of pathogen-free plants, and outreach to producers

• Addresses the decline of commercial ornamental ginger production in Hawaii, which decreased 46 percent between 2014 and 2018 due to emerging diseases caused by a combination of six viruses

• Directs funding to develop tissue culture protocols for Alpinia purpurata, produce virus-free plants in collaboration with the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, develop cultural management strategies for infected plants, and educate growers

• Appropriates equal sums from general revenues for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 (specific dollar amount not filled in the bill text)

• Takes effect July 1, 2050