Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-375
Sponsor: Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
Introduced: 2025-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal and plant health
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Hawaii
Horticulture and plants
Mammals
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-13
text: 

Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025

This bill establishes requirements to research and control Rapid Ohia Death, which is the disease caused by the fungal pathogen known as 
Ceratocystis fimbriata 
that affects the tree of the species 
Metrosideros polymorpha
.

Specifically, the Department of the Interior must partner with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Hawaii to control and address Rapid Ohia Death.

In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry must continue to research Rapid Ohia Death vectors and transmission.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must continue to partner with USDA, Hawaii, and local stakeholders to manage ungulates (e.g., certain mammals such as deer) in Rapid Ohia Death control areas on federal, state, and private land, with the consent of private landowners.

Finally, the Forest Service must provide (1) financial assistance to prevent the spread of the fungus and to restore the native forests of Hawaii, and (2) staff and necessary infrastructure funding to the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry to research the fungus.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-24
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2025-01-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-01-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 359 - 62 (Roll no. 24). (text: 1/21/2025 CR H248)
action_date: 2025-01-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 359 - 62 (Roll no. 24). (text: 1/21/2025 CR H248)
action_date: 2025-01-23
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H346)
action_date: 2025-01-21
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2025-01-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 375.
action_date: 2025-01-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H248-250)
action_date: 2025-01-21
text: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2025-01-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-13
text: Introduced in House