THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3087
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

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

PART I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the quality of local papaya needs improvement to flourish as an export. While the flavor and texture of local papaya is highly desired, shelf life is too short to export in high quantities. Major factors that may contribute to the poor quality of local papaya include the transportation of the product; treatment for fruit fly control; and handling, shipping, and storage of the product prior to distribution.

The legislature further finds that developing and establishing protocols to enhance the marketability of Hawaiian papayas can help to expand the market. The establishment of a market standard for Hawaiian papayas will encourage good practices when local farmers grow and harvest papaya.

The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys to the agribusiness development corporation to fund the United States Department of Agriculture Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center's efforts to address the following concerns and issues of the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association:

(1) Identifying factors that affect the quality of local papayas;

(2) Developing and establishing protocols to enhance the marketability of Hawaiian papayas; and

(3) Working with the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association member exporters to follow the flow of fruit from Hawaii fields through the treatment and packing process to the customer to identify the problems and areas that need attention, improvement, and further research.

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 2018-2019 for the agribusiness development corporation to fund the United States Department of Agriculture Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center's efforts to address the following concerns and issues of the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association:

(1) Identifying factors that affect the quality of local papayas;

(2) Developing and establishing protocols to enhance the marketability of Hawaiian papayas; and

(3) Working with the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association member exporters to follow the flow of fruit from Hawaii fields through the treatment and packing process to the customer, to identify the problems and areas that need attention, improvement, and further research.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this part.

PART II

SECTION 3. The agribusiness development corporation was established by chapter 163D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which intended to create a vehicle and process to make optimal use of agricultural assets for the economic, environmental, and social benefit of the people of Hawaii. The chapter established a public corporation to administer an aggressive and dynamic agribusiness development program. Accordingly, the agribusiness development corporation has broad powers to meet its goals and objectives. The purpose of this part is to conduct a management and financial audit of the agribusiness development corporation.

SECTION 4. The auditor shall conduct a management and financial audit of the agribusiness development corporation that is established under chapter 163D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

The auditor shall submit a report of findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020.

PART III

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Agribusiness Development Corporation; Papaya; Federal Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center; Audit; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates moneys to the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) to fund the federal Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center efforts to address issues and concerns of the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association. Requires the Auditor to conduct a management and financial audit of ADC. (SB3087 HD1)

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