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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2400 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
S.D. 2 |
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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 agriculture is more than just growing food for Hawaii's residents; it is also about sustaining agriculture as an industry in our economy. Although large quantities of resources-–chiefly land and labor–-are committed to agriculture, they are being used at very low levels of productivity.
To maximize agricultural production, the legislature finds that Hawaii must create a coordinated plan to provide research, educational opportunities, services, and resources to assist new and existing agricultural businesses to thrive and grow. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to create new economic opportunities and to sustain and enhance Hawaii's diversified agriculture industry through agribusiness development. The program established pursuant to this Act will identify emerging and promising crops, identify needed resources and technologies to sustain ongoing development of new agricultural industries, and establish an educational program to prepare and produce successful agricultural entrepreneurs and a knowledgeable workforce.
SECTION 2. (a) The agribusiness development corporation and University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources shall:
(1) Design a program to achieve the following purposes:
(A) Identify emerging crops, including food, ornamentals, and dairy, that can be grown on lands owned by the agribusiness development corporation; and
(B) Identify the resources needed to sustain identified emerging crops, including:
(i) Necessary acreage to sustain packaging and processing operations and other facilities;
(ii) The number of growers required; and
(iii) The number of producers required; and
(2) Design and establish a program to prepare and inspire an agricultural workforce with the proper skillset and motivation to become successful growers and producers.
(b) The agribusiness development corporation and University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources shall submit a report of their findings, including a summary of their data and program, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2015 regular session.
SECTION 3. The agribusiness development corporation and the department of agriculture shall develop a coordinated strategy:
(1) To lease state agricultural lands in a manner that will provide opportunities for new, small, mid-size, and large farms to maximize production in a cost-efficient manner; and
(2) For the use of state lands, facilities, and infrastructure to support emerging and specialty crops, and maximize agricultural development.
SECTION 4. The agribusiness development corporation, department of agriculture, and University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources shall coordinate and provide technical support to farmers to:
(1) Identify emerging and promising crops, including specialty crops particularly suited to a particular area to optimize diversified agricultural production on state lands; and
(2) Support and cultivate successful agricultural businesses.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Agribusiness Development Corporation; College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
Description:
Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation and the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to design a program that identifies emerging crops and productive uses for lands managed by the Agribusiness Development Corporation and helps prepare a workforce to cultivate these lands. Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation and the Department of Agriculture to develop a coordinated land management strategy to promote diversified agriculture, support emerging and specialty crops, and maximize agricultural development. Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, and the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to coordinate and provide technical support to farmers to identify emerging and promising crops and support and cultivate successful agricultural businesses. Effective 07/01/2050. (SD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.