Rep. G. K. Butterfield has bed bugs on his mind.

The Wilson Democrat has sponsored the "Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2008," which would establish a grant program so states can establish inspection, prevention and eradication of the blood sucking pests. States would have to require the inspection of at least 20 percent of its hotel rooms.

"Unfortunately, it’s not a joke," Butterfield said in a news release. "Fifty years after being virtually eliminated, bed bugs are back all across the country."

Butterfield's news release said there are numerous news reports indicating that bed bugs are showing up in some of the county’s finest hotels like the Ramada Plaza in San Francisco, the five-star Westin resort in Hollywood, Florida, and the Regency Inn and Suites in New York City.

The funds would come from within the existing U.S. Department of Commerce’s existing budget.

Butterfield said eliminating bed bugs from hotels is important because it can be the source of a home infestation.