February 11, 2026
Ms. Hirono introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to ensure adequate staffing and resources for the Institute of Tropical Forestry and the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.
Section 1. Institutes of Tropical Forestry and Pacific Islands Forestry
Section 2407 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6706) is amended—
(1)
in the section heading, by inserting and Pacific Islands Forestry
after Tropical Forestry
;
(2)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), in the second sentence, by striking The Institutes
and inserting the following:
(b) Activities
The Institutes;
(3)
in the matter preceding subsection (b) (as so designated), by striking The Secretary
and inserting the following:
(a) In general
The Secretary; and
(4)
by adding at the end the following:
(c) Staffing and resources
The Secretary shall ensure that—
(1)
the Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico has a staff of not fewer than 50 individuals and adequate resources to credibly and substantially advance the science, research, demonstration, and knowledge exchange relating to the activities described in subsection (b); and
(2)
the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry has a staff of not fewer than 30 individuals and adequate resources to credibly and substantially advance the science, research, demonstration, and knowledge exchange relating to the activities described in subsection (b).