Governor Josh Green of Hawaii has enacted a series of legislative measures aimed at enhancing the state’s defenses against biosecurity threats and supporting local agriculture. On June 27, Governor Green signed Act 236 into law, which includes renaming the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity (DAB) and the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture to the Board of Agriculture & Biosecurity (BAB). These changes took effect on July 1, with a gradual transition planned for department operations.
The State Budget, designated as Act 250 and approved on June 30, allocates $26.6 million and adds 44 new positions to DAB specifically for biosecurity efforts. Sharon Hurd, chairperson of BAB, expressed gratitude for this support from legislators and the Governor. “Our main focus now is to transform this funding and legislative support into comprehensive and effective programs to protect Hawai‘i from invasive species and grow our agricultural industry,” she stated.
Act 236 outlines several initiatives including appointing a Deputy to the Chairperson for Biosecurity by January 1, 2027. This role will manage biosecurity programs such as animal and plant quarantine inspections. The act also empowers DAB and the Governor to declare biosecurity emergencies when necessary.
Additional provisions under Act 236 require inspections of high-risk items transported interisland, authorize a transitional facilities program for inspecting goods, mandate certification for biosecurity compliance auditors, increase penalties for illegal transportation of plants or animals, establish a Plant Care Component Program, create a pest dashboard for tracking activities, and transfer the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council from another department by January 1, 2030.
The state budget further allocates funds towards agriculture-related projects: $2 million is set aside for state irrigation systems operations; $5 million is dedicated to dam safety improvements; and $7 million is earmarked for upgrading an Animal Industry Division facility in Hālawa.
