Executive Orders Establishing an Invasive Species Council

Idaho
Executive Order No. 2001-11 (2001) establishes the Idaho Invasive Species Council. The Council is composed of the governor, agency heads, and the director of the University of Idaho, and invites the participation of federal agencies, state representatives, local government organizations, tribal governments, and private and nonprofit organizations. The Council provides a coordinated approach that supports local initiatives. The purpose of the Council is to provide policy planning to: minimize the effects of harmful invasive species, identify and understand invasive species issues, take control and prevention measures, organize and streamline the process for identifying and controlling invasive species, and consider ways to halt the spread of and control the current population of invasive species. 

Wisconsin
Executive Order No. 12 (2001) created the Governor’s Advisory Task Force on Invasive Species. The Task Force consisted of twenty appointees and was directed to: evaluate the severity of the induction and spread of invasive species in Wisconsin; develop a statewide control plan to combat the induction and spread of invasive species; and identify and obtain federal funding to be used in the implementation of the statewide plan. The task force dissolved in 2002 after the submission of its report of recommendations to the governor.

Legislation Establishing an Invasive Species Council

Missouri
SB 649 follows the text of the Federal E.O. 13112 to establish a State Invasive Species Council. State agencies whose actions affect invasive species shall attempt to prevent further impacts of invasive species and shall not act in ways that create further impacts of invasive species. The Council shall oversee implementation of the act, encourage planning, develop recommendations, facilitate sharing of information, and create and update an Invasive Species Management Plan. 
Bill status: Introduced 2002; no carryover when session ended 5/30/02
Sponsor: Goode

New Hampshire
HB 1258 creates the Invasive Species Committee consisting of the commissioners of the following departments: Environmental Services, Resources and Economic Development, Transportation, and Fish and Game. Members also include the state entomologist; the dean of the University of New Hampshire, College of Life Sciences and Agriculture; and three citizens appointed by the governor to represent horticultural interests, environmental interests, and the general public. Finally, the bill calls for the Commissioner of Agriculture to consult with the Committee annually to prepare a list of immediately harmful invasive species to be prohibited from possession, transportation, and use in the state. 
Bill status: Enacted 2000
Sponsor: Pratt

Oregon
HB 2181 establishes an Invasive Species Council consisting of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Fish & Wildlife; Portland and Oregon State Universities; and 8 at-large members from industry, local government, and any other groups having an interest in invasive species. The bill directs the Council to develop a statewide plan and produce educational materials. It also establishes a permanent trust fund in order to provide grants or loans to agencies, organizations, or individuals to prevent the introduction of invasive species and to eradicate, contain or manage existing invasive species. Click here to view Oregon’s Invasive Species Council homepage.
Bill status: Enacted 2001
Sponsor: Office of the Governor

Hawaii
H 188, authored by Representative Morita, and S 557, sponsored by Senator Inouye, establish the Invasive Species Council and the Advisory Committee on Invasive Species to provide for the control, prevention, inspection, eradication, and disposition of invasive species; coordinate with other governments to protect the State against invasive species; transfer certain personnel and functions of Department of Agriculture and Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Council.
Bill Status: H 188 In Committee 1/22/2003; S557 Held in Committee 2/3/2003

Idaho
H 212, the Idaho Invasive Species Act, establishes the Idaho Invasive Species Council. The purpose of the Council is to provide policy direction and coordination that will foster local initiatives to prevent the introduction of harmful weeds and invasive species to Idaho and to eradicate these species, if possible. Among the major responsibilities of the Council is to organize and streamline the process for preventing, detecting, eradicating or controlling invasive species. The Council is directed to complete a strategic plan by January 1, 2004, taking into account existing plans and efforts. The plan will be a guidance document for combating invasive species in coordination with private, state, local, federal, and tribal entities.
Bill Status: In Committee 2/11/2003

New York
S 3522 and A 6988 create the seventeen-member New York state Invasive Species Task Force to assess the nature, scope, and magnitude of the environment, ecological, agricultural, economic, recreational and social impacts by invasive species in the state; and provide for a report to the governor and legislature.
Bill Status: S3522 was amended on Senate floor 6/11/2003; A6988 was amended on Assembly floor 6/12/2003

Virginia
H 2436 establishes an Invasive Species Council to provide state leadership in the executive branch regarding invasive species and to prepare an invasive species management plan.
Bill Status: Signed by Governor 3/16/2003

Legislation on Invasive Species Management

Hawaii
HB1346 is a comprehensive act that consolidates all state laws and regulations on invasive species into one act and gives regulatory power to the Board of Agriculture. The act establishes a scientific advisory committee consisting of experts in biology, botany, zoology, microbiology, and ecology. Further, it establishes a committee consisting of all state and federal agencies that handle inspection and enforcement of invasive species laws. Finally, the act includes a procedure for listing invasive species and a provision to develop emergency remedial measures to be executed when new invasive species are detected. 
Bill status: Session ended 5/3/02 with no further action
Sponsor: Morita (SB2025)  

Minnesota
Statutes 2001, Chapter 84D, establishes a “harmful exotic species management program.” The statutes give management authority to the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources to establish a statewide plan to prevent and control the spread of invasive species. The plan must include a coordinated approach to: disseminate information among agencies and organizations, conduct public education, encourage local participation, and conduct inspection. The act establishes a listing and regulatory categorization of invasive species, as well as an advisory board to maintain the lists and an emergency protocol for action upon the discovery of a new exotic species. Finally, the act calls for the designation of “infested waters” and regulates and prohibits the public’s access and activities within these waters.

Other

Legislation, Regulation and Policy for the Prevention and Control of Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species:  Model Guidance for Great Lakes Jurisdictions by Katherine Glassner-Shwayder of the Great Lakes Commission. The report presents model legislation based upon the Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 84D, to regulate aquatic nuisance species. The model guidance revises the Minnesota definitions, establishes a system of “beneficial uses” permits, and authorizes the director of the regulatory agency to create and implement an emergency action plan to be executed upon the discovery of a new invasive species.

California Memorandum of Understanding between State and Federal agencies to coordinate the management of invasive species on Federal and State lands. The memorandum lists specific management authorities by agency and sets forth an understanding of cooperative management between all parties.

Federal Executive Order 13112 (1999) establishes a council of federal agencies to coordinate agency plans. It directs the council to develop and implement an Invasive Species Management Plan that shall be implemented by the member agencies, and to establish a coordinated information system that utilizes the Internet. 

Hawaii HB 2212, the Alien Invasive Species Act, establishes a state invasive species administrator/coordinator and authorizes the Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Land and Natural Resources to enter private property for the purpose of controlling or eradicating alien invasive species. 
Bill status: Passed Senate and House; vetoed by Governor 6/02

Hawaii HB 2261 is an act to prohibit state agencies from interfering with the efforts of agencies responsible for addressing Hawaii’s alien species problem. It ensures that all state agencies not responsible for preventing the introduction or the eradication of alien species do not interfere with these efforts.
Bill status: In committee - session ended 5/3/02 with no carryover
Sponsor: Say

Maine’s Title 38, Chapter 20-B § 1871 (2001) creates the Interagency Task Force on Invasive Aquatic Plants and Nuisance Species. The statute designates the task force to monitor invasive species and make management recommendations to the Land and Water Resources Council. The task force shall further work with representatives from federal, state and local agencies and private environmental and commercial interests in the northeastern United States to form a Northeastern Regional Panel to establish priorities and coordinate activities to prevent the spread of milfoil and other invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species.