Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023

2/16/2024, 3:20 PM

Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023

This bill establishes requirements to research and control the fungus Ceratocystis, known as Rapid Ohia Death, which has killed more than a million native trees in Hawaii.

Specifically, the Department of the Interior must partner with the Department of Agriculture and Hawaii to control and address the fungus.

In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey must continue to research Rapid Ohia Death vectors and transmission.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must continue to partner with Hawaii and local stakeholders to manage ungulates (e.g., certain mammals such as deer) in Rapid Ohia Death control areas on federal, state, and private land.

Finally, the Forest Service must continue to provide (1) financial assistance to prevent the spread of the fungus and to restore the native forests of Hawaii, and (2) staff and necessary infrastructure funding to the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry to research the fungus.

Congress
118

Number
S - 927

Introduced on
2023-03-22

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/22/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023

This bill establishes requirements to research and control the fungus Ceratocystis, known as Rapid Ohia Death, which has killed more than a million native trees in Hawaii.

Specifically, the Department of the Interior must partner with the Department of Agriculture and Hawaii to control and address the fungus.

In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey must continue to research Rapid Ohia Death vectors and transmission.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must continue to partner with Hawaii and local stakeholders to manage ungulates (e.g., certain mammals such as deer) in Rapid Ohia Death control areas on federal, state, and private land.

Finally, the Forest Service must continue to provide (1) financial assistance to prevent the spread of the fungus and to restore the native forests of Hawaii, and (2) staff and necessary infrastructure funding to the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry to research the fungus.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Environmental Protection

Potential Impact
Animal and plant health
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Hawaii
Mammals
Research administration and funding

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary1/16/2024

Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023

This bill establishes requirements to research and control the fungus Ceratocystis, known as Rapid Ohia Death, which has killed more than a million native trees in Hawaii.

Spec...


Latest Action3/22/2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.