HI HB1237

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to prevent and control little fire ant and coconut rhinoceros beetle infestations in Maui County, including hiring of general professionals for biosecurity efforts (specific dollar amount not filled in).

Appropriates additional funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to combat coqui frog spread in Maui County, with allocations to the University of Hawaii Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit for the Maui Invasive Species Committee and its Molokai subcommittees for education, detection, response, and control efforts.

Establishes a Lanai Invasive Species Committee as a sub-branch of the Maui Invasive Species Committee with dedicated funding (specific dollar amounts not filled in).

Addresses biosecurity gaps in Maui County by targeting invasive species not yet detected on Molokai and Lanai, including little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetles, and coqui frogs.

Takes effect on July 1, 2050.