Bill Text: HI SR173 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging The Department Of Agriculture To Update Its Mission Statement To Include Local Food Production To Supply Local Community Consumption, And To Feature The Mission Statement More Prominently On Its Website And Appropriate Publications.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-1)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-22 - Certified copies of resolutions sent. [SR173 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2023-SR173-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	173
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the department of agriculture to UPDATE its mission statement to include local food production to supply local community consumption, and to feature the mission statement more prominently on its website and APPROPRIATE publications.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the current mission of the Department of Agriculture is to promote the conservation, development, and utilization of agricultural resources in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the mission of supporting an expanding local agriculture sector is essential to the overall viability of the State's economy and yet, is not included in the Department's mission statement; and

 

     WHEREAS, the challenges to the food supply chain and losses of regular market sales for farmers and ranchers in the State during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic highlighted the importance of supporting local food production to specifically meet local consumption demands; and

 

     WHEREAS, local agriculture in the State currently generates about $500 million in farm-gate revenues annually and provides thousands of jobs statewide and, when the economic value of other agriculture related industries are considered, the total value of agriculture jumps to nearly $3 billion a year and provides approximately forty-two thousand jobs statewide; and

 

     WHEREAS, local agriculture contributes to a desired physical environment for both residents and visitors and promotes economic as well as social well-being in rural districts across the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State and the people of Hawaii will benefit from the explicit assertion and prioritization of local agriculture production by the Department of Agriculture; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to update its mission statement to incorporate new language as follows:

 

"To serve Hawaii citizens by promoting and enhancing all agriculture; protecting a safe, healthy food supply for local consumption; and expanding local and global agricultural trade.  This will be accomplished through efficient management, innovation, resource access, infrastructure development, and sound science for all agriculture with a balanced commitment to the needs of agribusiness, environmental, and cultural stewardship."; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to feature its mission statement more prominently on its website and uniformly in its publications; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Local Agriculture; Department of Agriculture; Mission Statement;