Hawaiʻi has enacted new laws to strengthen its biosecurity efforts. Governor Josh Green signed several bills aimed at protecting the state from invasive species, pests, and diseases, and supporting local agriculture. The main law, Act 236, changes the name of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity, and the Board of Agriculture to the Board of Agriculture & Biosecurity. The name changes took effect last Tuesday, as reported by the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity.
The State Budget (Act 250), signed last Monday, includes $26.6 million and 44 new positions for the Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity to support its biosecurity efforts. “I cannot express how appreciative we are for the support that the department has received from legislators and the Governor,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Act 236 also requires the appointment of a Deputy to the Chairperson for Biosecurity by January 1, 2027, to oversee quarantine inspections and invasive species control. The law gives Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity and the Governor authority to declare a biosecurity emergency and take steps to stop the spread of pests and restricted organisms, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity.
Hawaiʻi has passed new laws to improve biosecurity and agriculture. The laws require inspections of high-risk goods moved between islands and create a program where licensed private groups can inspect for pests and diseases, with set standards and fees. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity will train auditors to check imports of plants and animals and increase penalties for illegal transport. A new pest dashboard is being developed to track and report biosecurity issues. The state budget includes $2 million for irrigation, $5 million for dam safety, and $7 million to upgrade the Animal Industry Division facility in Hālawa. The Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council will move from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity on January 1, 2030.
