REPORT Title:
LRB Study; Agricultural Development Corporation
Description:
Requests LRB to conduct a study to identify elements for the Hawaii agribusiness plan and to submit the LRB's findings and recommendations to the legislature. (SD2)
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3078 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
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 Act 264, Session Laws of Hawaii 1994, created the agribusiness development corporation. The purpose of the agribusiness development corporation was:
(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 the marketing analysis to direct agricultural industry evolution; and
(4) To provide the leadership for the development, financing, improvement, or enhancement of agricultural enterprises.
One of the responsibilities the legislature tasked this new and dynamic entity with was to create the Hawaii agribusiness plan. The plan's purpose was 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 the 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, the agribusiness development corporation, the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources, the 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;
(4) Produce a report of its findings and recommendations, and any proposed legislation; and
(5) Submit its report to the legislature at least twenty days before the convening of the 2007 regular session.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.