Bill Text: HI HB1270 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Hemp.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [HB1270 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1270-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1270 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEMP.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is important to establish a task force to bring together hemp industry stakeholders, the department of agriculture, and the department of health to identify strategies and actions to best support and grow the Hawaii hemp industry. Through data development and information exchange, the task force can help to shape hemp policy and programming to support Hawaii agriculture, consumers, and the public interest.
The legislature also finds that although hemp is a high-value crop that has the potential to bring significant and diverse revenues to Hawaii, the industry has been stymied because of factors including limited market access and overregulation of production and processing, which have driven Hawaii hemp farmers out of business; made Hawaii hemp farmers noncompetitive; and created challenges for hemp building, housing, and biofuel projects. Hawaii is the only state in the country that regulates hemp farming at the state level but has also asked for regulation by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The legislature further finds that the state department of agriculture and department of health have worked to be responsive to changing federal and state hemp regulations. Creation of a task force will provide a forum for regular interactions among the Hawaii hemp industry and experts to help to identify data that will facilitate the implementation of policy and save agency time and resources.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to convene a Hawaii hemp industry task force in the department of agriculture to gather data and information to aid in the understanding of hemp industry needs and recommend to the legislature strategies and actions to support a vibrant hemp industry, agriculture, and rural economic development.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established a Hawaii hemp industry task force within the department of agriculture for administrative purposes. The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) The chairperson of the board of agriculture or the chairperson's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force;
(2) The director of health or the director's designee;
(3) The chairperson of the house of representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction over agriculture;
(4) Seven members comprised of hemp farmers from each island with existing hemp production, proportionate to the total number of United States Department of Agriculture hemp licenses in the State, who shall be selected by the task force members identified in paragraphs (1) to (3); and
(5) One member from each of the following five hemp production sectors, all of whom shall be residents of the State, who shall be selected by the task force members identified in paragraphs (1) to (3):
(A) Fuel;
(B) Building;
(C) General fiber;
(D) Cannabinoid; and
(E) Grain food.
(b) The task force shall dissolve on June 30, 2024.
(c) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation.
(d) The task force shall:
(1) Gather data and information from sources, including hemp economists, regulators in other states, retailers, farmers, and hemp industry groups outside of Hawaii;
(2) Develop an outline, not a study, of farmer and industry needs and strategies and actions to inform public policy regarding the creation of a vibrant hemp industry in Hawaii that is supportive of local agriculture; and
(3) Report to the legislature its findings and recommendations based on input, information, and data gathered.
(e) The department of agriculture shall provide any necessary administrative support, including preparation of the report required by subsection (f), to the task force.
(f) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.
Report Title:
Hemp; Task Force; Department of Agriculture; Department of Health
Description:
Establishes a task force to gather data and information and make recommendations to the legislature on strategies and actions to support a vibrant hemp industry, agriculture, and rural economic development. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
