HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2276
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY SPECIAL FUND.

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

SECTION 1. The animal industry special fund was established to receive moneys from the use or rental of animal industry division properties or facilities and utilize them to assist with division operation expenditures.

The state veterinary laboratory is in the animal industry division. The veterinary laboratory provides laboratory services and diagnostic support; conducts disease surveillance projects involving poultry, swine, dairy and other livestock and aquaculture industries. The state veterinary laboratory assists industries, practicing veterinarians, the state animal quarantine branch and other governmental animal health agencies by providing a variety of testing services, including pathology, histopathology, parasitology, and serology.

The state veterinary laboratory functionality was reduced over recent years due to loss of positions and serious facilities problems. Those problems were resolved with the completed renovation of the roof and air conditioning system in 2019. All vacant positions in the lab were filled in 2019. Therefore, the state veterinary laboratory is positioned to perform at optimal capacity. The amendments to section 142-3.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, will allow the animal industry division to deposit fees generated by the veterinary laboratory into the fund to assist with its operations.

SECTION 2. Section 142-3.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§142-3.6 Animal industry special fund. There is established the animal industry special fund to be administered by the board of agriculture. Moneys received by the board of agriculture from:

(1) The use or rental of the division of animal industry's properties or facilities, including the animal quarantine property or facilities pursuant to section 142-3.5; or

(2) Appropriations or other moneys made available,

(3) Revenue from fees for diagnostic, surveillance and other work by the animal industry division veterinary laboratory and animal disease control branch,

shall be deposited into the special fund. All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited in the special fund shall become part of the special fund. Moneys in the special fund shall be expended to cover costs of the division of animal industry, including the costs of salaries, fringe benefits, operating expenses, equipment, motor vehicles, contract with any qualified person or entity for livestock handling services, and operating and maintenance of the animal industry facilities; provided that moneys in the special fund may be used to fund the department's resource management and planning programs. A reserve shall be maintained in the special fund to cover contingency costs, including accrued vacation leave, unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	BY REQUEST

Report Title:

Department of Agriculture; Animal Industry Special Fund

Description:

Adding new sources of revenue generated by the state veterinary laboratory and animal disease control that can be deposited into the animal Industry Special Fund.

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