In committee
Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025
This bill requires federal agencies to continue funding scientific research and forest restoration in Hawaii to stop Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, a fungal disease threatening the state's native trees. It provides financial support and staffing for forest recovery efforts and scientific facilities. Additionally, it directs federal and state wildlife officials to work with local groups and willing private landowners to control wild hoofed animals that damage trees and spread the infection.
People affected—Not determinable from the text provided; no target population count is specified.
Fiscal magnitude—Not determinable from the text provided; the bill directs agencies to continue providing financial assistance and funding but specifies no dollar amounts or appropriations.
Reach15provisional · pending reviewrigor: heuristic llm
What this bill touches.
Federal lands & resources+28Public R&D+24
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- State of HawaiiReceives federal partnership and financial assistance from the U.S. Forest Service to stop the spread of Rapid Ohia Death and restore native forests (Sec. 3, Sec. 4(b), Sec. 4(c)(1)).
- Institute of Pacific Islands ForestryReceives dedicated staff and necessary infrastructure funding from the U.S. Forest Service to continue research on the disease (Sec. 4(c)(2)).
- Consenting private landowners in HawaiiCan partner with federal and state agencies to manage hooved animals affecting Rapid Ohia Death on their properties, contingent upon their consent (Sec. 4(b)).
Who it burdens
- U.S. Forest ServiceMandated to continue research on disease vectors and transmission, provide financial assistance for forest restoration, and provide staff and infrastructure funding to the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (Sec. 4(a), Sec. 4(c)).
- Department of the InteriorRequired to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture and Hawaii, conduct ongoing transmission research through the U.S. Geological Survey, and manage hooved animals through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Sec. 3, Sec. 4(a), Sec. 4(b)).