Bill Text: HI HB1529 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Farmer Equity.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-26 - Referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 1 [HB1529 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-HB1529-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1529 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to farmer equity.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes the importance of investing in the long-term prosperity of the State's food and farming system, starting with its farmers. The legislature finds that historical and ongoing dispossession and deterritorialization have greatly impacted Native Hawaiian access to land and other resources such that structural barriers to farming continue to exist for Native Hawaiians. In addition, immigrant farmers and farmers of color have historically not had equitable access to land and other resources necessary to farm in Hawaii, and the legacy of disadvantage persists.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2017 Census of Agriculture, female farmers represent approximately thirty-six per cent of all farmers referenced as primary producers in the State, while only twenty-five per cent of Hawaii farmers referenced as principal producers are women of color.
The legislature also finds that existing federal agricultural policies have failed to provide sufficient and appropriate technical assistance and financial support, including farmer cooperative creation, for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to support socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and include this support in the department of agriculture's vision and relevant policies.
SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§141- Farmer equity. (a) The
department shall:
(1) Ensure the inclusion
of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, including socially disadvantaged
farmers and ranchers in urbanized areas, in the development, adoption, implementation,
and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, rules, policies, and programs;
(2) Consult with federal,
state, and county agencies and departments and all other interested members of the
public and private sectors in the State on opportunities for socially disadvantaged
farmers and ranchers and to coordinate state programs;
(3) Disseminate information
regarding opportunities provided by the United States Department of Agriculture,
United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States General Accounting
Office, Office of Management and Budget, and other federal agencies for socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;
(4) Evaluate boards,
committees, commissions, and advisory panels related to farming and ranching in
the State for opportunities to include socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;
and
(5) Compile and report
data on who receives subsidies and state land leases, and whether these resources
are being allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers.
(b) The chairperson shall submit a report of the department's
findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, on efforts to
serve socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and all female farmers and ranchers
in the State to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening
of the regular session of 2023
and each regular session thereafter. The report shall also provide information on how
to improve processes to include socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(c) For purposes of this section:
"Chairperson" means the
chairperson of the board of agriculture.
"Department" means the department
of agriculture.
"Socially disadvantaged farmer"
means a farmer who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group.
"Socially disadvantaged group"
means a group whose members have been subject to prejudice based on their race,
ethnicity, gender, or immigrant status because of their identity as members of a
group without regard to their individual qualities. These groups include all of the following:
(1) Native Hawaiians;
(2) Pacific Islanders;
(3) African Americans,
Africans, and Afro-Latinos;
(4) Native Americans;
(5) Alaskan Natives;
(6) Latino/a/Latinx;
(7) Asian Americans;
(8) Women; and
(9) Immigrant communities.
"Socially disadvantaged rancher"
means a rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group.
"Urbanized area", as used
by the United States Census Bureau, refers to an area with a population of at least
fifty thousand people."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Farmer Equity; Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers; Department of Agriculture
Description:
Enhances farmer equity by ensuring inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the development, implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, rule, policies, and programs. Requires an annual report to the legislature.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
