S. 541 – Macadamia Tree Health Initiative Act of 2017

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 1:26 PM UTC

The Macadamia Tree Health Initiative Act of 2017 amends the 1990 Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act to create a new program that provides federal research and extension grants focused on macadamia trees. The goal is to help growers combat the macadamia felted coccid pest and to set up coordinated pest‑management efforts in areas already affected or at risk. The bill mainly impacts macadamia producers, USDA agencies, and researchers working on tree health.

Key Provisions

Adds a new grant category for macadamia tree health under the existing USDA research and extension program.
Funds may be used to develop and share science‑based tools and treatments for the macadamia felted coccid (Eriococcus ironsidei).
Allows grants to establish an area‑wide integrated pest management program in regions dealing with or vulnerable to the macadamia felted coccid.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

March 7, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 7, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

March 7, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued March 7, 2017

II

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 541

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 7, 2017

Ms. Hirono (for herself and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

A BILL

To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to provide for a macadamia tree health initiative, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Macadamia Tree Health Initiative Act of 2017.

2.

Macadamia tree health initiative

Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(11)

Macadamia tree health initiative

Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of—

(A)

developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments to combat the macadamia felted coccid (Eriococcus ironsidei); and

(B)

establishing an areawide integrated pest management program in areas affected by, or areas at risk of being affected by, the macadamia felted coccid (Eriococcus ironsidei).

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