S.23-1.22: Invasive Insects Act (Passed)

[Mr. Reactionary]

INVASIVE INSECTS ACT

1. The Southern Region hereby reaffirms that the official name of the insect species Lymantria dispar is Gypsy Moth and Aphaenogaster araneoides is Gypsy Ant

2. Accordingly, no Regional, State, or local public funds shall be expended:

A. To acquire or provide any textbook, teaching materials, or library book that identifies Lymantria dispar or Aphaenogaster araneoides with a name other than Gypsy Moth or Gypsy Ant respectively;

B. To fund activities by any club, organization, entity, or non-profit that identifies Lymantria dispar or Aphaenogaster araneoides with a name other than Gypsy Moth or Gypsy Ant respectively;

C. To draft, prepare, or distribute any report or other public document that identifies Lymantria dispar or Aphaenogaster araneoides with a name other than Gypsy Moth or Gypsy Ant respectively.

3. It shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no less than $1,000.00 and no more than $10,000.00 for any person in the Southern Region to knowingly introduce, release, enable, or permit any Gypsy Moth, including its larva or eggs, into any habitat in which such insect species is not presently endemic. For purposes of this provision, knowingly introducing, releasing, enabling, or permitting a Gypsy Moth into any Southern State or external territory other than the States of Delaware, Maryland, Nyman, West Virginia, or Virginia shall constitute prima facia evidence of a violation.

4.  It shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no more than $5,000.00 for any person in the Southern Region to knowingly transport more than a cord of unprocessed firewood from any habitat in which the Gypsy Moth is presently endemic to any habitat in which the Gypsy Moth is not presently endemic. Any such firewood shall be subject to immediate seizure and shall be burned as quickly as is practicable upon such seizure. For purposes of this provision, knowingly transporting more than a cord of unprocessed firewood from Delaware, Maryland, Nyman, West Virginia, or Virginia to any other State or external territory of the Southern Region shall constitute prima facia evidence of a violation.

5. If an infestation of invasive or harmful insects, rodents, or other vermin or disease vectors are discovered upon any farm, feedlot, or food processing facility in the South, the Governor may, when necessary for the publich health and safety, declare an emergency, secure the farm, feedlot, or facility, and act to abate the nuisance and preserve the produce from contamination or destroy adulterated or contaminated produce.

6. This act shall take effect March 1, 2023.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Fights invasive insects

[RFayette]

Motion for final vote

[fhtagn]

24 hours for objections

[reagente]

A final vote is now open for 72 hours, or until 24 hours after this has enough votes to pass or fail, or until everybody votes, whichever occurs soonest.

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Aye

[RFayette]

Aye

[fhtagn]

Aye

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Good bill.

[UlmerFudd]

aye

[Mr. Reactionary]

Bill passes 4-0-0-1