Sponsors (2)
The bill targets Hawaiʻi with clearer definitions, research support, and coordinated response capacity to protect native forests and local economies, but it relies on limited federal implementation detail and funding, potentially shifting costs to state/local actors, creating administrative friction, and leaving gaps on private lands and beyond Hawaiʻi.
Hawaii local governments, nonprofits, and communities receive federal financial assistance to help prevent spread and restore native forests, supporting local economies that rely on forest resources and tourism.
Hawaii state agencies and federal land managers must coordinate a federal–state response to Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, improving protection of forests and native ecosystems on public lands.
Residents, researchers, and resource managers in Hawaiʻi benefit from funded research and sustained staffing (Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry) that build long‑term monitoring and scientific capacity to track and respond to the disease.
Hawaii state governments and federal land managers may have to shoulder coordination and response costs because the Act requires collaboration but does not provide dedicated funding or timelines.
Requirements to coordinate across Federal, State, and local partners lack clear implementation authority and detail, creating administrative complexity that can slow action and divert Interior/Agriculture staff time from other priorities.
Federal spending on research and financial assistance increases taxpayer costs and may not guarantee eradication or full control of the disease, leaving uncertain return on the investment.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Directs DOI and USDA to continue coordinated research, ungulate management partnerships, and Forest Service financial and staffing support to address Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawaiʻi.
Directs the Interior and Agriculture Departments to continue and coordinate research, management, and restoration activities to address Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawaiʻi. It establishes a formal interagency and state collaboration and continues existing research on disease transmission, ungulate management partnerships, and Forest Service support for prevention and forest restoration efforts. The bill does not create new funding authorities or appropriate money; it focuses on sustaining and coordinating federal research and on-the-ground activities in partnership with the State of Hawaiʻi, USDA, and local stakeholders to slow the spread and restore native ʻōhiʻa forests.
Official title: 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.
Introduced January 13, 2025 by Jill Tokuda · Last progress February 14, 2025