Bill Text: HI SB2894 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Agriculture.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-03-23 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) C. Lee, Lowen, McDermott, Souki, Tokioka excused (5). [SB2894 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-SB2894-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2894 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
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 Hawaii must transition its agriculture industry, once dominated by sugar and pineapple, to one that is beneficial for diversified food crops. While diversified agriculture has increased, industry experts estimate that Hawaii imports approximately eighty-five to ninety per cent of the food it consumes.
According to a report issued in October 2012 by the office of planning in cooperation with the department of agriculture, entitled "Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy: A State Strategic/Functional Plan Prepared in Accordance with HRS Chapter 226 Hawaii State Plan and the Hawaii Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy", replacing just ten per cent of the food that Hawaii currently imports would amount to approximately $313,000,000, which would remain in the State and generate more than two thousand three hundred jobs. Investing in farmland and irrigation infrastructure will bring Hawaii closer to becoming self-sufficient, and such local investments will benefit local residents.
The legislature further finds that Governor Ige set the policy goal of doubling food production by 2020. Issues such as preserving agricultural land, identifying food crops for local production, and improving irrigation and agricultural infrastructure need immediate attention so that doubling food production can become a realistic objective. Additionally, the senate is committed to enacting the seventeen United Nations sustainable development goals as a priority for the regular session of 2018. The second of these goals includes doubling local food production.
The purpose of this Act is to take steps toward doubling and identifying food crops for local food production by requiring the department of agriculture, in coordination with the agribusiness development corporation and University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources, to conduct crop performance testing trials on state agricultural lands of Hawaii's most highly imported food crops.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of agriculture, in coordination with the agribusiness development corporation and the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources, shall conduct crop performance testing trials on state agricultural land of the top food crops imported into the State between 2012 and 2017.
(b) The department of agriculture shall submit a
report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation,
to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the
regular session of 2020.
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 2018-2019 for crop performance testing trials; provided that the sum appropriated shall not lapse until June 30, 2020.
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, 2050.
Report Title:
Agriculture; Local Food Production; Imported Food Crops; Crop Performance Testing Trials; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Agribusiness Development Corporation and University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, to conduct crop performance testing trials on state agricultural lands of Hawaii's most highly imported food crops. Makes an appropriation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
