Hawaii-2017-HB490-Introduced

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the department of agriculture lacks firm statistics regarding how much food is currently being produced locally in Hawaii, how much food that is currently consumed in Hawaii is produced locally, and how much food is currently imported into and exported from Hawaii. There are two hundred ninety public schools and one hundred eighty thousand public school students in Hawaii. Approximately twenty-four million school meals are served each year in the State.

Furthermore, the greater use of locally produced food in schools in Hawaii brings a plethora of benefits. Farm to school initiatives help students, farmers, and the broader community. Students benefit by eating healthy, locally produced food and learning about farm to school activities. Farmers benefit financially by gaining access to a lucrative market for their goods. The broader community is benefited through the building of a stronger local economy and the fostering of greater community involvement in the public school system.

The legislature determines that it is very important to develop a clearer view of food production in the State. The purpose of this Act is to establish the food production goals task force.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of agriculture the food production goals task force to establish specific and definite food production goals for Hawaii, including supplying greater quantities of locally produced food to public schools in Hawaii by 2030. The department of agriculture, including the Hawaii farm to school program, shall provide administrative support to the task force.

(b) The task force shall include:

(1) The chairperson of the board of agriculture, or the chairperson's designee;

(2) The farm to school coordinator of the Hawaii farm to school program under section 141-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(3) The chairperson of the board of education, or the chairperson's designee;

(4) The superintendent of education, or the superintendent's designee;

(5) A member of the house of representatives, to be selected by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(6) A member of the senate, to be selected by the president of the senate;

(7) The mayor of each county of the State, or each mayor's designee; and

(8) Five representatives of the farming and agricultural community, to be selected by the governor.

(1) Establish specific and definite food production goals for Hawaii, including determining:

(A) How food production goals are set in Hawaii; and

(B) How much food is produced locally in Hawaii;

(2) Determine methods to supply greater quantities of locally produced food to public schools in Hawaii by 2030, including by:

(A) Analyzing existing statutes and rules that affect the supply of greater quantities of locally produced food to public schools in Hawaii; and

(B) Proposing legislation or rule changes that would enhance the supply of greater quantities of locally produced food to public schools in Hawaii; and

(3) Set specific and definite goals for using a certain percentage of locally produced food for meals served in public schools.

(d) The task force shall be held accountable for the food production goals that it sets under subsection (c).

(e) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for any necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties under this Act. No member shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the task force.

(f) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018, the task force shall submit to the legislature a report of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation.

(g) The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2018.

SECTION 3. 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 2017-2018 to enable the food production goals task force to carry out its duties.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	490
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII