What This Bill Does
This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to work with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to fight a tree disease called Rapid Ohia Death. The bill directs federal agencies to continue research on how the disease spreads and to manage wild animals that may help spread it.
Who It Affects
The bill directly affects federal agencies (the Interior Department, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Agriculture Department, and the Forest Service). It also affects the State of Hawaii, private landowners in Hawaii, and local stakeholders involved in disease control efforts.
Key Provisions
- The Secretary of the Interior must partner with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death (Sec. 3)
- Federal agencies must continue researching how Rapid Ohia Death spreads and its vectors, or causes of transmission (Sec. 4(a))
- The Fish and Wildlife Service must continue managing wild animals called ungulates in areas where Rapid Ohia Death is being controlled, with permission from private landowners (Sec. 4(b))
- The Forest Service must provide money and funding for staff and facilities to prevent the disease from spreading and restore native forests in Hawaii (Sec. 4(c))
What Changes
Federal agencies are directed to continue ongoing partnerships and research efforts focused on Rapid Ohia Death rather than start new programs.
Important Definitions
Rapid Ohia Death is a disease caused by a fungus called Ceratocystis fimbriata that kills ohia trees (Metrosideros polymorpha).
Effective Date
Not specified in bill text
IIB
118TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 1726
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry
AN ACT
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
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tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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HR 1726 RFS
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
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This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Continued Rapid Ohia
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Death Response Act of 2023’’.
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SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
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In this Act:
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(1) RAPID
OHIA
DEATH.—The term ‘‘Rapid
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Ohia Death’’ means the disease caused by the fungal
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pathogen known as Ceratocystis fimbriata that af-
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fects
the
tree
of
the
species
Metrosideros
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polymorpha.
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(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State
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of Hawaii.
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SEC. 3. COLLABORATION.
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The Secretary of the Interior shall partner and col-
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laborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State
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to address Rapid Ohia Death.
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SEC. 4. SUSTAINED EFFORTS.
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(a) TRANSMISSION.—The Secretary of the Interior,
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acting through the Director of the United States Geologi-
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cal Survey, and the Chief of the Forest Service, acting
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through the Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands
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Forestry, shall continue to conduct research on Rapid
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Ohia Death vectors and transmission.
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(b) UNGULATE MANAGEMENT.—The Secretary of the
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Interior, acting through the Director of the United States
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Fish and Wildlife Service, shall continue to partner with
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HR 1726 RFS
the Secretary of Agriculture, the State, and with local
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stakeholders to manage ungulates in Rapid Ohia Death
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control areas on Federal, State, and private land, with the
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consent of private landowners.
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(c) RESTORATION AND RESEARCH.—The Secretary
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of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest
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Service, shall continue to provide—
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(1) financial assistance, including through
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agreements with the Secretary of the Interior—
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(A) to prevent the spread of Rapid Ohia
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Death; and
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(B) to restore the native forests of the
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State; and
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(2) staff and necessary infrastructure funding
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to the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry to con-
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duct research on Rapid Ohia Death.
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Passed the House of Representatives September 24,
2024.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.
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