Appropriates $200,000 to the Department of Agriculture for pineapple pest control research.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the pineapple industry is the largest agricultural industry in Hawaii and plays a vital and unique role as a strong economic component of the State's financial base. The three pineapple companies pay $4,400,000 in state taxes, employ approximately three thousand five hundred people, and spend over $790,000 per year in Hawaii on agricultural research.

The legislature further finds that the adverse effects of losing this industry would be socially and economically damaging to the State. The industry is more at-risk now than in the past because of recent changes in federal regulations and shifts in market demand. Further, ongoing research to assist in boosting the crop's resistance to critical pests is necessary to maintain the health of the existing industry.

The purpose of this Act is to support research projects at the University of Hawaii or the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center which focus on pest management, fruit quality, and related environmental research.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for pineapple pest control research, fruit quality, and related environmental research.

SECTION 3. The sums 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, 2001.