Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2024, the Governor returned the following bill with specific appropriation item(s) stricken or reduced: HB2619 HD1 SD1 CD1

Governor Josh Green has returned House Bill 2619 to the Hawaii Legislature with specific funding amounts reduced, affecting the state Department of Agriculture's biosecurity program. The bill originally proposed nearly $20 million in general funds for invasive species control and $200,000 in grants for county feral chicken projects, but the Governor cut the total appropriation to $10 million due to budget constraints. This action reduces funding for various pest response teams, public awareness campaigns, and specific staff positions while maintaining the bill's core goal of managing invasive species. Additionally, the Governor removed the funding for county feral chicken control grants, preferring a different approach already enacted in Senate Bill 2401.