Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawai‘i-02) and Colleen Hanabusa (Hawai‘i-01) have introduced the State Assistance for Tropical Floriculture Research Act of 2018 (H.R. 5066) to support floriculture research and development in Hawai?i and across the U.S.
The bill would authorize grants up to $250,000 annually for selected states to research and develop new and disease-resistant varieties of tropical flowers.
Hawai?i’s floriculture and nursery products—including cut flowers, orchids, lei flowers, potted flowering plants and more—are estimated to be valued at $74.5 million.
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