CTAHR eXchange

On April 28, 2008, Governor Linda Lingle signed into law Act 40 Relating to Invasive Species.  Under these provisions, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture will be responsible for maintaining a list of restricted plants.  The Department may designate certain plant species as noxious weeds and those plants will also be considered as "restricted".   The legislation 1) allows the Department of Agriculture to regulate or prohibit the sale in Hawaii of specific plants designated as restricted plants, 2) allow the importation of noxious weeds only for research, by permit, and prohibit the sale of noxious weeds in the State; and 3) clarify that plants can be placed on the restricted-plant list becasue the plant itself may be detrimental or potentially harmful to agriculture, horticulture, the environment or animal or public health.