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.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 375 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 375
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 13, 2025
Ms. Tokuda (for herself and Mr. Case) introduced the following bill;
which was 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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 Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Rapid ohia death.--The term ``Rapid Ohia Death'' means
the disease caused by the fungal pathogen known as Ceratocystis
fimbriata that affects the tree of the species Metrosideros
polymorpha.
(2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Hawaii.
SEC. 3. COLLABORATION.
The Secretary of the Interior shall partner and collaborate with
the Secretary of Agriculture and the State to address Rapid Ohia Death.
SEC. 4. SUSTAINED EFFORTS.
(a) Transmission.--The Secretary of the Interior, acting through
the Director of the United States Geological Survey, and the Chief of
the Forest Service, acting through the Forest Service Institute of
Pacific Islands Forestry, shall continue to conduct research on Rapid
Ohia Death vectors and transmission.
(b) Ungulate Management.--The Secretary of the Interior, acting
through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
shall continue to partner with the Secretary of Agriculture, the State,
and with local stakeholders to manage ungulates in Rapid Ohia Death
control areas on Federal, State, and private land, with the consent of
private landowners.
(c) Restoration and Research.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting
through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall continue to provide--
(1) financial assistance, including through agreements with
the Secretary of the Interior--
(A) to prevent the spread of Rapid Ohia Death; and
(B) to restore the native forests of the State; and
(2) staff and necessary infrastructure funding to the
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry to conduct research on
Rapid Ohia Death.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
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.
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.
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H248-250)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 375.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H346)
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)
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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)
Roll Call #24 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.