HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	506
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to agriculture.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The chairperson of the board of agriculture shall convene a working group to evaluate the procurement process for agricultural products in order to increase the consumption of locally-grown agricultural products within state institutions.

     (b)  The working group shall consist of the following members or their representative:

     (1)  The chairperson of the board of agriculture, who shall serve as the chairperson of the working group;

     (2)  The comptroller;

     (3)  The director of public safety;

     (4)  The chairperson of the board of education;

     (5)  The president of the University of Hawaii;

     (6)  The chief procurement officer;

     (7)  A representative from the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, to be invited by the chairperson of the board of agriculture; and

     (8)  Any other persons that the chairperson of the board of agriculture deems advisable for inclusion on the working group.

     (c)  The working group shall examine:

     (1)  Whether purchases of agricultural products should be exempt from procurement requirements;

     (2)  Methods to streamline and simplify the process for farmers and ranchers; and

     (3)  Any other considerations deemed advisable by the chairperson of the board of agriculture.

     (d)  The members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

     SECTION 2.  The working group shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Agriculture; Procurement; Working Group

Description:

Establishes a working group to evaluate the procurement process for agricultural products in order to increase the consumption of locally-grown agricultural products within state institutions.

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