Report Title:

Maui agriculture.

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of agriculture to mitigate problems on Maui with animal stocking, poisonous plants, and crop pests.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

836

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to agriculture.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there are serious natural and human-based problems that face the agricultural industry on Maui. For instance, the process for staging cattle for mainland shipment is hampered by logistical problems. There are inadequate state quarantine resources on Maui which delays cattle shipments, and the staging process currently takes place too far from the cattle ranches to be conducted efficiently.

There is also a problem with a plant whose scientific name is Senicio Madagascariensis, commonly known as "fireweed", that is poisonous and can be fatal to livestock. This weed affects horses most severely, and can be detrimental to cattle and other animals as well.

Another natural nuisance is the yellow sugarcane aphid which eats the grass intended for consumption by livestock. These pests were not in evidence during drought periods but have reappeared vigorously and are causing severe food shortages for livestock.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of agriculture to:

(1) Facilitate animal stocking and quarantine;

(2) Eradicate fireweed; and

(3) Eradicate the yellow sugarcane aphid.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $30,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 to establish an animal quarantine on Maui and to facilitate the staging of cattle on Maui for mainland shipment.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $30,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $30,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 to help eradicate fireweed on Maui.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $10,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $10,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 to help eradicate the yellow sugarcane aphid on Maui.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________