SB2924 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2924
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Organic farming practices are beneficial to human health and towards the preservation of environmental quality because these practices emphasize sustainability, enhancing soil health, and promoting the practice of growing agricultural products without the use of toxic substances, such as pesticides and fertilizers. While organic farming is an important building block for maintaining and preserving the State's scenic and environmental resources, it is also an essential element in creating economic viability and preserving the quality of life in rural and agricultural communities.

According to a national study, approximately two per cent of the United States food supply is grown using organic methods and the nationwide retail sales of organic food and beverages in 2005 totaled approximately $12,800,000,000. There are close to two hundred organic farms in Hawaii, which produce organic products such as coffee, macadamia nuts, bananas, pineapples, ginger, mangoes, citrus fruits, avocados, tomatoes, and salad greens. The Hawaii Organic Farmers Association, an accredited third party certification agency for the United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program, estimates that organic farming in Hawaii is a $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 per year industry.

There is currently a high and increasing demand for organic produce that exceeds the State's local organic food supply, and to meet this demand, local produce markets and large mainland chain stores must import organic produce from the mainland and other countries. Unfortunately, the importation of organic produce can result in a higher number of invasive species that are inadvertently brought into the State upon arrival, and can impact the State's agriculture sector, economy, and sustainable food supply. To assist in nurturing our State's organic agriculture segment and to safeguard our environment from invasive species that may be inadvertently transported to the State via imported organic produce, the State should support locally-based organic agriculture.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to hire additional staff, including researchers and specialists, to support organic agriculture research and teaching programs.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the college of tropical agriculture and human resources to hire additional staff, including researchers and specialists, to support organic agriculture research and teaching programs.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.