Bills · HR 487
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 487Aviation and airportsPest management
Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act
INTRO JAN 16· LAST ACTION JAN 16
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because Hawaii's isolated ecosystem is especially vulnerable to invasive species, which can devastate native wildlife, agriculture, and local economies. Currently, many inspections happen upon arrival, meaning an invasive species could already be in transit or briefly introduced. By requiring inspections *before* departure, this bill aims to create a stronger barrier against the introduction or spread of harmful plants and animals.
If this bill becomes law, it could significantly reduce the risk of new invasive species establishing themselves in Hawaii, protecting its unique biodiversity, agricultural industries, and natural beauty. For voters, it means potentially greater protection for Hawaii's environment but also new inconveniences and costs through user fees for anyone traveling or shipping items to and from the state. If it doesn't pass, Hawaii would continue to rely on existing, less comprehensive inspection protocols, leaving it more exposed to the ongoing threat of invasive species.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires preclearance quarantine inspections for all movement of people, baggage, and cargo to or from Hawaii, for both domestic and international travel.
This establishes a comprehensive inspection system designed to prevent invasive species from reaching or leaving Hawaii by checking items before they travel.
PROVISION 02
Specifies that inspections will be visual, x-ray, and canine-based, and will occur at departure and interline airports, ports of departure, and United States Postal Service facilities.
This outlines the methods and locations for the inspections, aiming for thoroughness and early interception.
PROVISION 03
Mandates the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with Hawaii, to develop and publish a list of high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials subject to inspection.
This ensures a clear and public standard for what items are targeted by the inspections, providing transparency.
PROVISION 04
Authorizes the seizure and disposal of any high-risk invasive species or agricultural material discovered during these inspections.
This provides the necessary enforcement power to remove prohibited items and prevent their spread.
PROVISION 05
Requires the collection of user fees sufficient to cover the full cost of these preclearance quarantine inspections.
This ensures the funding mechanism for the new inspection program, placing the financial burden on users of the travel/shipping services.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Hawaii
YRS IN OFFICE
24
BILLS LED
32
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 16
Introduced in House
JAN 16
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 487
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 16, 2025
Last actionJan 16, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025
House BillHR 487Aviation and airportsPest management
Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act
INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 16, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
