Bill Text: HI SR88 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Designate Areas In Each County For Dairy Operations And Develop Incentives To Increase Dairy Operations In The State.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-04-12 - Report and Resolution Adopted. [SR88 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2019-SR88-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
88 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DESIGNATE AREAS IN EACH COUNTY FOR DAIRY OPERATIONS AND DEVELOP INCENTIVES TO INCREASE DAIRY OPERATIONS IN THE STATE.
WHEREAS, peak milk production in the State was at one hundred sixty million pounds in 1988, but by 2006, production declined by more than sixty-four percent to fifty-seven million pounds; and
WHEREAS, milk production in the State in 2017 was 1.75 million gallons, which equates to just over fifteen million pounds; and
WHEREAS, the demise of Hawaii's dairies stemmed from the higher cost of local milk production and loss of market presence due to competitive, low-cost imported milk from the mainland United States; and
WHEREAS, local dairy operators face several challenges to the local production of milk, including high costs and environmental challenges; and
WHEREAS, the State only has two dairies currently operating and one of those dairies intends to shut down its operations in spring 2019; and
WHEREAS, the State lacks a local animal feed producer, which necessitates the importation of feed by local dairy operators and ranchers; and
WHEREAS, bad weather and mechanical issues on cargo ships caused milk delivery delays and left some store shelves empty the first week in March of 2019; and
WHEREAS, dairy shortages highlight the need for the State to increase its local food production; and
WHEREAS, local dairies can help reduce the State's reliance on imported milk; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to designate areas in each county for dairy operations and develop incentives to increase dairy operations in the State; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to include in its report to the Legislature:
(1) A map and explanation of areas in each county to be designated for dairy operations;
(2) Proposed incentives to increase dairy operations to the State; and
(3) An examination of the effects of the Milk Act on the decline of Hawaii's dairy industry and related recommendations that could address potential future issues; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.
Department of Agriculture; Dairy Operations; Imported Milk; Local Food Production
