REPORT Title:

LRB Study; Agricultural Development Corporation

Description:

Directs LRB to conduct a study to identify elements for the Hawaii agribusiness plan. (SB3078 HD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3078

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

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 Act 264, Session Laws of Hawaii 1994, created the agribusiness development corporation. The purpose of the agribusiness development corporation is:

(1) To administer an aggressive and dynamic agribusiness development program;

(2) To coordinate and administer programs to assist agricultural enterprises to facilitate the transition of agricultural infrastructure from plantation operations into other agricultural enterprises;

(3) To carry on marketing analysis to direct agricultural industry evolution; and

(4) To provide leadership for the development, financing, improvement, or enhancement of agricultural enterprises.

One of the responsibilities the legislature tasked this new and dynamic entity with is to create the Hawaii agribusiness plan. The plan's purpose is to define and establish goals, objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for the agribusiness development corporation's agribusiness development strategy. However, this plan was never created.

The legislature finds that this plan is of utmost importance, because it will help to guide the agribusiness development corporation and its board of directors in each program it administers. The purpose of this Act is to direct the legislative reference bureau to conduct a study to assist the agribusiness development corporation in identifying elements to be included in the Hawaii agribusiness plan.

SECTION 2. The legislative reference bureau shall conduct a study to identify elements that should be included in the Hawaii agribusiness plan. In developing its report, the legislative reference bureau shall:

(1) Identify the government agencies involved and stakeholders who may directly benefit from the agribusiness development corporation, including public and private organizations and individuals;

(2) Consult with these agencies and stakeholders, including but not be limited to individuals from the department of agriculture, agribusiness development corporation, University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and county farm bureaus, as well as organizations of individual farmers and ranchers, as feasible;

(3) Obtain suggestions to improve the agribusiness development corporation and identify the necessary elements for developing the Hawaii agribusiness plan; and

(4) Submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature at least twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2007.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.