SB1507

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that supporting innovation and expansion in various disciplines is critical to the State's economy. According to the Hawaii state planning act, supporting innovative work in the culinary arts, value‑added production, food production, and other areas, can help diversify the State's economic base.

The legislature further finds that the food production and food distribution industries are undergoing dramatic changes. Emerging technology and social media offer new ways to develop and promote products, reach new markets, and optimize sales. Hawaii's food businesses have opportunities to support local food security while also expanding into wider markets. It is critical to the success of Hawaii's economic development and food security goals to support the businesses that are helping to grow the State's agriculture and food industries.

The legislature recognizes that a growing statewide network exists in Hawaii that is doing innovative work in food production and food systems. The Culinary Institute of the Pacific, Wahiawa Value-added Product Development Center, Central Oahu Agriculture and Food Hub, Maui Food Innovation Center, Kekaha Food Innovation Center, and others are helping to support Hawaii's agribusinesses and food entrepreneurs. The network is also providing residents with marketable knowledge, skills, and training in agriculture, food production, food distribution, culinary arts, and other related fields. The legislature believes these kinds of innovation networks benefit the State.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a food and product innovation network office and food and product innovation network advisory council to inform legislation and provide a coordinated and strategic approach to food systems innovation.

SECTION 2. Chapter 163D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§163D- Food and product innovation network office; established. (a) There is established the food and product innovation network office. The office shall be placed within the agribusiness development corporation for administrative purposes. The purpose of the food and product innovation network office shall be to assist the State in achieving its economic development and food security goals through food systems innovation.

(b) The food and product innovation network office shall:

(1) Provide analysis, information, and planning to assist the legislature, state agencies, and other relevant stakeholders in developing policies to help meet the State's economic development and food security goals; and

(2) Coordinate and encourage cooperation among food system innovation assets in each region across the State.

(c) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, the food and product innovation network office shall submit a report to the legislature including:

(1) A description of the food and product innovation network office's activities in the preceding year and the office's progress toward meeting the directives established in subsection (b);

(2) An assessment of any progress Hawaii has made in growing the agriculture industry, food industry, and related industries, and in meeting the State's food security goals; and

(3) Any proposed legislation.

§163D- Food and product innovation network advisory council. (a) There is established a food and product innovation network advisory council that shall serve in an advisory capacity to the administrators of the food and product innovation network office. The council shall consist of eleven members, including seven appointed members and four ex officio, voting members.

(b) The seven appointed members shall comprise:

(1) One member having experience in food production, food distribution, or marketing, to be appointed by the senate;

(2) One member having experience in food production, food distribution, or marketing, to be appointed by the house of representatives;

(3) One member of the university of Hawaii board of regents having experience in career training related to agriculture, business, information systems, or marketing, to be appointed by the chair of the board of regents;

(4) One member of the board of education having experience in curriculum development or instruction in agriculture, information systems, or marketing, to be appointed by the chair of the board of education;

(5) Three members of the workforce development council, to be appointed by the council; provided that one member shall represent management, one member shall represent labor, and one member shall represent the public.

(1) The chairperson of the board of agriculture, or the chairperson's designee;

(2) The director of business, economic development, and tourism, or the director's designee;

(3) The executive director of the agribusiness development corporation; and

(4) The executive director of the P-20 partnership for education.

(d) Of the three members first appointed by each appointing authority, one shall be appointed for two years, one shall be appointed for three years, and one shall be appointed for four years. The member appointed from the board of education shall be appointed for the remainder of the member's remaining term on the board of education. Upon the expiration of the terms of the first members, their successors shall serve for a term of four years. Vacancies shall be filled by the appropriate appointing authority for the unexpired term.

(e) The council shall elect a chairperson and other officers as the council deems necessary. Section 92-15 shall apply. The members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to expenses for traveling within the State to attend meetings of the council or when engaged in business relating to the work of the council.

(f) The council shall provide recommendations and advice to the food and product innovation network office on:

(1) Major international and national trends in food production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and marketing, and employment needs in these fields that can be addressed locally;

(2) Critical steps and resources to take advantage of specific, high-priority innovation measures;

(3) A framework for creating a public directory for businesses involved in food production, distribution, marketing, and education, including:

(A) Farmers and other producers;

(B) Manufacturers, including commercial kitchens;

(D) Exporters;

(E) Educators; and

(F) Food distribution and hubs;

(4) Any legislation needed to support food and product innovation in the State."

SECTION 3. 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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the food and product innovation network office and food and product innovation network advisory council established pursuant to this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1507
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII