[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5725-H5726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONTINUED RAPID OHIA DEATH RESPONSE ACT OF 2023

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1726) 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, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1726

       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 2023''.

     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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio-
Cortez) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 1726, the bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arkansas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Representative Tokuda's legislation, the Continued Rapid 
Ohia Death Response Act, directs the Secretary of the Interior to 
partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State 
of Hawaii to address rapid ohia death.
  Rapid ohia death is a fungal disease that has devastated Hawaii's 
ohia tree population. The ohia tree is important ecologically and 
culturally to Hawaii. Ohias regulate water flow and help prevent soil 
erosion. The continued loss of ohia trees can have significant economic 
impacts, including the loss of tourism revenue and increased water 
treatment and erosion control cost. Unfortunately, there is currently 
no cure that can help the affected trees.
  H.R. 1726 would help address rapid ohia death by focusing Federal and 
State agencies' efforts on detection, prevention, and restoration 
efforts for combating this disease.
  I recognize Representative Tokuda for her work on this legislation, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                     Committee on Agriculture,

                               Washington, DC, September 15, 2023.
     Hon. Bruce Westerman,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
     Washington, DC,
       Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual 
     understanding regarding H.R. 1726, the ``Continued Rapid Ohia 
     Death Response Act of 2023''. Thank you for collaborating 
     with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our 
     jurisdiction.
       The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further 
     consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing 
     consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction 
     over any subject matter contained in this or similar 
     legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the 
     right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of 
     conferees should it become necessary and ask that you support 
     such a request.
       We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 1726 and request a 
     copy of our letters on this matter be published in the 
     Congressional Record during Floor consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                            Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                               Washington, DC, September 18, 2023.
     Hon. Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,
     Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding H.R. 1726, the 
     ``Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023,'' which 
     was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on 
     June 21, 2023.
       I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall 
     within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and 
     appreciate your willingness to forgo any further 
     consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee 
     on Agriculture will not formally consider H.R. 1726 and agree 
     that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill 
     does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter 
     contained therein.
       I am pleased to support your request to name members of the 
     Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to 
     consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of 
     letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation 
     regarding this legislation.
           Sincerely,

                                              Bruce Westerman,

                                                         Chairman,
                                   Committee on Natural Resources.

  Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1726, the 
Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023, introduced by my 
colleague from Hawaii, Representative Jill Tokuda.
  This vital legislation addresses the urgent need to combat rapid ohia 
death, or ROD, which has already led to the loss of over 1 million 
native ohia lehua trees in Hawaii since its discovery in 2014.
  The significance of these trees cannot be overstated. They are 
Hawaii's most abundant native trees and play a crucial role in 
preserving the State's unique biodiversity and protecting its 
ecosystems.
  It is essential that we take immediate action to prevent further 
devastation and ensure the survival of this iconic species.
  This bill emphasizes the need for research and aid to enhance our 
understanding of this deadly fungus and explore innovative solutions to 
combat its impact.
  Furthermore, the bill fosters collaboration between Federal agencies, 
the State of Hawaii, and local stakeholders.

[[Page H5726]]

  The comprehensive approach will help mitigate the threat of ROD and 
protect Hawaii's native forests and ecosystems, so that we can 
safeguard Hawaii's ohia trees for future generations and preserve the 
unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity that make our Nation so 
exceptional.
  I commend my colleague, Representative Tokuda, for championing this 
important legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this 
bill and reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I am prepared to close. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume 
to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda), the sponsor of the bill.
  Ms. TOKUDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1726, 
the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023.
  Ohia lehua trees form the backbone of Hawaii's forests and 
watersheds. It is the first tree that you will see spring up from a 
recent lava flow.
  It grows from the sea level to 8,000 feet, and it protects our 
communities by literally keeping our mountains from eroding.
  Ohia lehua also provides critical habitat for Hawaii's federally 
endangered forest birds and many other species.
  They are what you call a keystone species in Hawaii's forests, and 
its catastrophic decline has the potential to cause major ecosystem 
imbalances that would impact watersheds, cultural traditions, natural 
resources, and the safety and quality of life of our people.
  Because of this vital role they play in maintaining Hawaii's forest 
canopies and watersheds, rapid ohia death, or ROD, poses a lethal 
threat to the ecological balance and everyday life in our islands.
  Initially reported in 2010, ROD has already spread to tens of 
thousands of acres and killed over a million trees on Hawaii island 
alone.
  Large swaths of dead ohia trees pose a fire risk and a danger and are 
more prone to habitat-modifying noxious weeds and trees like miconia 
and strawberry guava, all of which are known to greatly impact 
watershed health and alter ecosystem function.
  Despite efforts to contain the spread of ROD to Hawaii island through 
restrictions on the movement of plant material and increased sanitation 
protocols, ROD has now been found on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, and 
Maui.
  Because there is no known cure for ROD, it has the potential to kill 
off ohia trees statewide and devastate our precious island ecosystems.
  While ROD creates acres of deadly fire fuel with its dry and dead 
trees and poses a critical threat to our native birds, our native 
forests, watersheds, critically endangered forest birds, and I should 
note, natural beauty, support for combating ROD has been extremely 
limited.
  For example, the Lyon Arboretum, a local research facility on Oahu, 
relied on funding through a GoFundMe campaign to further the vital seed 
banking of ohia lehua.
  My bill, the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act, seeks to 
address ROD and the urgent threat it presents.
  The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to partner and 
collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii 
to address ROD. It also supports ongoing detection, prevention, and 
restoration efforts to combat rapid ohia death.
  I thank Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Grijalva, and especially 
Federal lands Ranking Member Neguse and his staff for their support and 
assistance on this bill.
  We cannot stand alone, and we cannot lose our native forests in 
Hawaii. It protects and sustains our people and provides critical 
habitat for native species.
  This bill is essential in turning the tide in the fight against rapid 
ohia death and protecting and preserving ohia lehua and Hawaii's unique 
ecosystems for our future generations.
  I thank again all who have supported it, and I urge my colleagues to 
vote ``yes''.
  Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, the ohia tree is important to Hawaii's 
ecosystem, people, and the economy. This legislation will help focus 
Federal and State resources on conserving one of the most important 
tree species in Hawaii.
  Mr. Speaker, I recognize and support my colleague Ms. Tokuda's work 
on this issue, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1726, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________