Bill Text: HI HB2130 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Relating To Sustainable Food Systems.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-1)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-16 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Aiu, Garrett, Perruso, Takayama, Todd excused (5). [HB2130 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2130-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2130

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a sustainable food system is a food system in which producers, retailers, community members, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies partner to create a vibrant and resilient local food economy that enhances and sustains the environmental, economic, and social health of the community.  The legislature further finds that the development of a more sustainable food system for the State represents an opportunity to create a new food economy that integrates the objectives of "green" job creation, sustainable economic development, land stewardship, food security, environmental protection, and climate change resiliency with community health and well-being.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Establish the sustainable food systems working group to develop an interagency food systems plan;

     (2)  Require a report to the legislature before the regular session of 2025;

     (3)  Establish sustainability specialist positions within the department of agriculture; and

     (4)  Make an appropriation.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established the sustainable food systems working group within the department of agriculture for administrative purposes.  The working group shall develop an interagency food systems plan that is linked to the United Nations sustainable development goals for a more sustainable, resilient local food economy that enhances and sustains the environmental, economic, and social health of the community.

     (b)  The chairperson of the board of agriculture, or the chairperson's designee, and the director of business, economic development, and tourism, or the director's designee, shall serve as co-chairs of the working group.

     (c)  One member of the house of representatives, to be selected by the speaker of the house of representatives, and one member of the senate, to be selected by the president of the senate, shall collaboratively select one representative with knowledge from each of the following areas to serve as working group members:

     (1)  Food as a human right and healthy food for all;

     (2)  Social equity and food justice;

     (3)  Food system resilience;

     (4)  Agriculture and food system sustainability;

     (5)  Food at the center of a circular economy;

     (6)  Sustainable education, workforce development, and fair labor;

     (7)  Good food governance; and

     (8)  Agricultural operations.

     (d)  The interagency food systems plan shall:

     (1)  Identify a governance structure;

     (2)  Include a plan for implementation;

     (3)  Address the areas identified in subsection (c)(1) to (8); and

     (4)  Incorporate any county food access plans.

     (e)  The working group shall submit the interagency food systems plan and its recommendations for the implementation of the plan, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

     (f)  The department of agriculture shall provide any necessary administrative support, including support for the preparation of the interagency food systems plan identified in subsection (d), to the working group. 

     (g)  The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2025.

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $           for the establishment of      full-time equivalent (    .0 FTE) sustainability specialist positions within the department of agriculture; provided that the qualifications for the sustainability specialist positions shall include being well-versed in Hawaii agriculture at the farm and ranch level and being a specialist in sustainability; and

     (2)  $           for the establishment and operation of the sustainable food systems working group established pursuant to section 2 of this Act, including the coordination of stakeholder meetings; management of public meetings and website data in accordance with chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes; writing and printing of the interagency food systems plan; and potential purchase of services for a fee.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.


 


 

Report Title:

HDOA; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Sustainable Food Systems Working Group; Interagency Food Systems Plan; Report; Positions; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

 

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for the sustainable food systems working group and positions within the Department of Agriculture.  Requires report to the legislature.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

 

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