Bill Text: HI SB1208 | 2017 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Agriculture.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-16 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SB1208 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2017-SB1208-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1208 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that over the past four decades there has been a steady decline of agricultural plantations located in Hawaii. A recent report released by the department of agriculture, Statewide Agricultural Land Use Baseline 2015, shows a dramatic change in agricultural land over the last thirty-five years as sugar production and pineapple production have downsized. According to the department of agriculture, there are 151,830 acres of agricultural land in crop production today compared to 350,830 acres in crop production in 1980. Due to the rapid downsizing and closure of agricultural companies in the State, there are large tracts of land and empty industrial facilities currently available for agricultural economic growth.
The legislature further finds that it is the State's responsibility under article XI, section 3, of the Hawaii State Constitution to conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency, and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands. Hawaii's current agricultural production is insufficient to meet the State's food consumption needs, and an over-reliance on imported food creates critical health, safety, and security issues for Hawaii. Therefore, the legislature further finds that the creation of an agribusiness land and facilities special fund is vital.
The purpose of this Act is to establish the agribusiness land and facilities special fund to acquire, operate, and maintain large tracts of former agricultural land in the State for agricultural economic development.
SECTION 2. Chapter 163D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§163D- Agribusiness land and facilities special fund. (a) There is established in the state treasury the agribusiness land and facilities special fund, to be administered by the corporation, to acquire certain large tracts of former agricultural land located in Hawaii and into which shall be deposited:
(1) Appropriations made by the legislature to the fund;
(2) All revenues from the corporation's operations as allocated by the corporation;
(3) All revenues received from the corporation from the acquisition, lease, management, and operation of the large tracts of former agricultural land; and
(4) All proceeds from revenue bonds issued pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Moneys in the agribusiness land and facilities special fund shall be used for the following purposes:
(1) Acquisition, operation, and maintenance costs relating to large tracts of former agricultural lands; and
(2) Debt service on revenue bonds authorized and issued under this chapter.
(c) The corporation may utilize contributions of money, labor, materials, and property that may be otherwise available from any person or instrumentality.
(d) Upon adoption of rules pursuant to chapter 91 governing expenditures by the corporation, no expenditure, use, or transfer of funds from the agribusiness land and facilities special fund by the corporation shall be subject to chapter 42F or 103D.
(e) For the purposes of this section, "large tracts of former agricultural land" means tracts of land formerly used for the purpose of agriculture in the State."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.
Report Title:
Agribusiness Land and Facilities Special Fund; Former Agriculture Land; Economic Development
Description:
Establishes the agribusiness land and facilities special fund to acquire, operate, and maintain large tracts of former agricultural land in the State for purposes of agricultural economic development. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
