A bill that would establish an Invasive Species Council charged with determining what plants and animals are “invasive” to Hawaii—and thus banned from entry into the state—awaited its first public hearing at press time.

The council formed under House Bill 3418 would consist of nine members—none of which are required to be representatives from the pet or aquaculture industries, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington).

The council’s primary responsibility would be to maintain lists of plants and animal species that are approved, restricted, require a permit or prohibited from entering Hawaii. It also would establish inspection and monitoring facilities at ports, develop fees for permits and conduct educational training programs.

The proposed legislation also requires that certain animals be listed as prohibited from entering into the state, including any live snake, flying foxes, Gila monsters and eels of the order Anguilliformes.

The ultimate list of prohibited animals could affect many pet businesses, said PIJAC.