Bill Text: HI SB1326 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Rooftop Agricultural Production ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [SB1326 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-SB1326-Introduced.html
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1326 |
|
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO URBAN AGRICULTURE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. In recent years, Hawaii has moved away from producing its own food and has become more reliant on imported agricultural commodities. By some estimates, over eighty-five per cent of the food consumed in Hawaii is imported. This places Hawaii in a precarious position when facing the dilemma of food security, which is exacerbated by the increased costs of transportation due to the rising price of petroleum. Hawaii faces the further challenge of limited land and water resources, two components that are critical to growing our own food.
However, the development of new technologies has begun to shift the traditional notions of where farming can occur. Advances in aquaponics, hydroponics, and soil-based aerated container systems have made it possible to grow food in unique places, including urban regions. These advances in agricultural technologies have made it possible to create productive growing areas on commercial and institutional rooftops. In Hawaii, a successful example of this concept can be seen on the roof of the Castle Medical Center, where a garden has been created to supplement dietary needs of patients and staff with fresh wholesome produce. This was accomplished utilizing proficient engineering practices that did not compromise the structural integrity of the medical center's roof or require extensive drainage improvements.
In the governor's new day plan, two of the guiding principles for agriculture production are food security and innovative agricultural practices. Rooftop agricultural production would perfectly abide by those principles. One of the best venues to publicly showcase this concept is the fifth floor of the Hawaii state capitol building. It has many of the attributes that would allow for a successful rooftop garden and would serve as an excellent example to be emulated throughout Hawaii.
The purpose of this Act is to create rooftop gardens on the fifth floor of the Hawaii state capitol building to promote agricultural innovation and greater food security.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 for the development and implementation of a rooftop garden on the fifth floor of the Hawaii state capitol building; provided that:
(1) The garden will not compromise the structural integrity of the building in any way or require additional, extensive drainage improvements;
(2) This appropriation shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; and
(3) Any balance of the appropriation that is not encumbered as of December 31, 2015, shall lapse to the credit of the general fund on that date.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
Rooftop Agricultural Production
Description:
Creates a rooftop garden on the 5th floor of the State capitol.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
