house resolution no.154

Rep. Anthony offered the following resolution:

A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that requires any person or business selling plants online to alert customers if a plant is considered invasive and illegal to possess in a state.

Whereas, Invasive plants, whether aquatic or terrestrial, cause environmental and economic harm in Michigan and throughout the country. Once introduced, aquatic invasive plants proliferate in our waters, impacting boating, swimming, fishing, and all the businesses that support these activities. Other invasive plants spread across the land, replacing more valuable native plants, often creating impenetrable thickets, and degrading wildlife habitat, with impacts on hunting, tourism, agriculture, and birding. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year to control invasive plants nationwide, and there are potentially billions of dollars in overall impacts; and

Whereas, Invasive plants often arrive in Michigan and other states by shipment from online sales. Many invasive plants are marketed and sold as ornamental or aquarium species. Consumers purchasing plants online are generally unaware if a plant is considered invasive by their state and assume that if it is being sold online it is permissible to possess; and

Whereas, Increased consumer awareness would help prevent the purchase of invasive plants. Most people would not knowingly purchase a plant or release a plant into the environment if they were aware that the plant is invasive and the damage that it could cause. Proper awareness at the point of sale would make a tremendous difference in the fight against invasive plants; and

Whereas, States are limited in their ability to enforce requirements on people and businesses selling plants online but operating out of state. Online invasive plant sales are a national problem related to interstate commerce but with significant local impacts. It is imperative that Congress address this issue; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that requires any person or business selling plants online to alert customers if a plant is considered invasive and illegal to possess in a state; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.