S. 927 – Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 5:03 AM UTC

The bill directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to work together with the State of Hawaii to combat the fungus known as Rapid Ohia Death, which has killed over a million native trees. It continues research, disease‑prevention, and forest‑restoration efforts and provides funding for these activities. The law applies to federal agencies and the State of Hawaii.

Key Provisions

Mandates the Interior Secretary to partner with the Agriculture Secretary and Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death.
Orders the USGS, through the Interior Secretary, to keep researching how the disease spreads.
Requires the US Fish and Wildlife Service to work with Hawaii and local stakeholders on managing ungulates in disease‑control areas.
Continues USDA Forest Service financial assistance and staff support for preventing spread and restoring forests, including funding for the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.
Authorizes $5 million each fiscal year from 2024 through 2034 for these collaborative efforts.

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 22, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 22, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

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

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

March 22, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued March 22, 2023

II

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 927

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 22, 2023

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 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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023.

2.

Findings

Congress finds that—

(1)

the fungus Ceratocystis, known as Rapid Ohia Death, has killed more than 1,000,000 native trees in the State; and

(2)

the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service and the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, has provided funding and staff—

(A)

to identify and detect Rapid Ohia Death;

(B)

to prevent the spread of Rapid Ohia Death;

(C)

to identify Ohia trees that are resistant to Rapid Ohia Death; and

(D)

to propagate trees that are resistant to Rapid Ohia Death in order to restore the native forests of the State.

3.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Rapid Ohia Death

The term Rapid Ohia Death means the fungus described in section 2(1) that has killed more than 1,000,000 native trees in the State.

(2)

State

The term State means the State of Hawaii.

4.

Collaboration

The Secretary of the Interior shall partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State to address Rapid Ohia Death.

5.

Sustained efforts

(a)

Transmission

The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, 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 State and with local stakeholders to manage ungulates in Rapid Ohia Death control areas on Federal, State, and private land.

(c)

Restoration and research

The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall continue to provide—

(1)

financial assistance, including to 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.

6.

Authorization of appropriations

For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2034, there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this Act, including for activities carried out by the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, or both.