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Senate committees advance bill broadening plant quarantine and inspection powers to block invasive pests
Summary
A joint Senate committee recommended passing SB 252 with amendments to bar importation and sale of pest-infested items and give the Department of Agriculture authority to inspect, quarantine and destroy infested materials; supporters called the changes a key biosecurity gap fix.
A joint meeting of the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment on Jan. 29 recommended passing SB 252 with amendments to strengthen the state’s plant quarantine authorities.
Supporters told lawmakers the amendment would prohibit importing items infested with insects, diseases or other pests, authorize administrative inspections of imports and allow the Department of Agriculture to compel quarantine, treatment or destruction of certain materials.
The measure drew broad support from conservation and invasive-species groups. Chelsea Arnott of the…
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