THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2435
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

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 the State's overreliance on imported foods has threatened the State's food sustainability and economy.  Nearly eighty-five per cent of the food consumed in the State is imported.

     The legislature further recognizes the importance of local food production and has made efforts to ensure that local agriculture has necessary resources, such as access and leases to land, infrastructure, and water.  Article XI, section 3, of the Hawaii constitution requires the State to conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency, and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands.  Accordingly, the State has and continues to purchase fallow agricultural lands.  However, funding resources are limited.

     The purpose of this Act is to give preference to moneys deposited into the agricultural development and food security special fund from the environmental response, energy, and food security tax for the acquisition of real property for agricultural production or processing activity.

     SECTION 2.  Section 141-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  Subject to legislative appropriation, moneys in the special fund may be expended for the following purposes:

(1)  The awarding of grants to farmers for agricultural production or processing activity;

(2)  The acquisition of real property for agricultural production or processing activity; provided that preference shall be given to using any moneys deposited into the special fund from the environmental response, energy, and food security tax, pursuant to section 243-3.5, to acquire real property for agricultural production or processing activity;

(3)  The improvement of real property, dams, reservoirs, irrigation systems, and transportation networks necessary to promote agricultural production or processing activity, including investigative studies to identify and assess necessary improvements to dams, reservoirs, irrigation systems, and transportation networks;

(4)  The purchase of equipment necessary for agricultural production or processing activity;

(5)  The conduct of research on and testing of agricultural products and markets;

     (6)  The funding of agricultural inspector positions within the department of agriculture;

(7)  The promotion and marketing of agricultural products grown or raised in the State;

     (8)  Water quality testing and improvement; and

(9) Any other activity intended to increase agricultural production or processing that may lead to reduced importation of food, fodder, or feed from outside the State."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Agricultural Development and Food Security Fund; Barrel Tax

Description:

Gives preference to moneys deposited into the agricultural development and food security special fund from the environmental response, energy, and food security tax for the acquisition of real property for agricultural production or processing activity.  Effective 07/01/2050.  (SD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.