Bill Text: HI SB239 | 2017 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Agriculture.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-14 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDL/WAM. [SB239 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2017-SB239-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
239 |
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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 agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism are constant worries for farmers and ranchers. Given the broad acreage that many farming operations encompass, it is often difficult for farmers to police their entire operations at all times. Furthermore, vigilance at night after work hours may be challenging because not all farmers and ranchers are able to live on or near the fields where they work. All of these factors make agricultural operations easy prey for theft and vandalism.
The legislature also finds that the county of Hawaii is known as the breadbasket of the State. Agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism have been a constant threat for farmers and ranchers on the island, increasing the cost of production and making it more difficult for farming operations to be successful.
The purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to establish a two-year agricultural theft pilot project to focus on investigating and prosecuting agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism in the county of Hawaii.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of agriculture shall:
(1) Establish a two-year agricultural theft pilot project to focus on investigating and prosecuting agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism;
(2) Partner with the county of Hawaii to hire an enforcement officer within the prosecuting attorney's office; and
(3) No later than January 1, 2019, assess the implementation of the pilot project including the pilot project's effectiveness for:
(A) Identifying the number of convictions for agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism;
(B) Identifying best practices for prosecuting perpetrators of agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism;
(C) Identifying areas where agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism are most prevalent;
(D) Identifying best practices for preventing agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism; and
(E) Making recommendations for a statewide program to address agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism.
(b) Based on the department of agriculture's assessment of the agricultural theft pilot project, the department shall determine whether to continue, expand, or end the pilot project.
(c) The department of agriculture shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than December 31, 2019.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 as a grant-in-aid to the office of the prosecuting attorney, county of Hawaii to assist the department of agriculture in implementing a two-year agricultural theft pilot project.
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.
Report Title:
Agricultural Theft Pilot Project; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the department of agriculture to establish a two-year agricultural theft pilot project to focus on investigating and prosecuting agricultural theft and agricultural vandalism in the county of Hawaii. Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the office of the prosecuting attorney, county of Hawaii, to assist in implementing the pilot project. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
