Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act

H.R. 2881, the Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act, would require federal inspectors to conduct mandatory screenings of all people, luggage, and cargo traveling between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. These inspections, conducted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), would use x-rays, visual checks, and canine teams at airports, ports, and postal hubs to identify high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials. To fund these expanded biosecurity measures, the bill authorizes the collection of user fees from travelers and shippers to cover the full cost of the inspections. The goal of the legislation is to create a more robust "pre-clearance" system to prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases that could threaten Hawaii’s unique environment and agricultural industry.