Bill Text: HI HB1892 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To A Food Hub Pilot Program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-03-16 - The hearing on this measure has been cancelled until further notice. [HB1892 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-HB1892-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1892 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO A FOOD HUB PILOT PROGRAM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that models for agricultural and food processing industries have a proven track record of success. In states such as Ohio, these industries contributed $93 billion to their state's economy, creating jobs that can never be outsourced. Farming and agriculture are pillars of Hawaii's economic strength. Innovation in farming, harvesting, and processing is creating an attractive profession which combines science, technology, and land use to strengthen our economy and food security. Food hubs allow for families and small farms to join the greater economy and allow local people to benefit from markets they previously did not have access to.
The legislature further finds that Hawaii is the most isolated, populated land mass on earth and currently relies on imports for over ninety percent of its food supply. Such reliance is not only costly, but also poses a significant risk of famine in the event of a natural disaster, economic disruption, or other external factors beyond the State's control.
Additionally, the legislature finds that supporting small local farmers is essential to the economic development and self‑reliance of the State. Developing and investing in food hubs located throughout the Hawaiian Islands can help the most vulnerable members of our community and lower Hawaii's dependence on imported foods through the production of local agriculture. This Act will support local families and farms with facilities for aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and marketing, which strengthens their ability to participate in larger agricultural economies. Hawaii's unique produce, agricultural production, and food industry have encouraged visitors to travel from around the world to taste our locally grown products. The certified local foods coming out of food hubs can be sold in local stores and restaurants, stimulating the economy and allowing local farmers to profit from the reputation of their harvests.
The legislature also finds that food hubs can support rural communities and present opportunities for new generations of farmers to work and live in Hawaii. Agricultural economic production must grow within the State to help improve Hawaii's economic development, overall self-sufficiency, and food security.
The legislature additionally finds that Hawaii's local agricultural industry needs revitalization by bringing farmers and the State together to increase local food production, create jobs, and engage in successful business partnerships for Hawaii's sustainable future. Investing in the increase of locally grown food, by supporting the development and expansion of food hubs throughout the State, will increase Hawaii's food security, economic diversification, sustainability, and resiliency.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a five-year food hub pilot program, which shall be administered by the department of agriculture.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established a five-year food hub pilot program, which shall be administered by the department of agriculture.
(b) The pilot program shall:
(1) Adopt the United States Department of Agriculture's working definition of "food hub," which is "a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and/or marketing of locally/regionally produced food products;" and
(2) Award grant funding to qualified applicants for the construction of critical infrastructure to establish and expand food hubs in the city and county of Honolulu and each of the counties of Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, including:
(A) Construction or improvement of facilities for aggregation, washing, minimal processing, packaging, cold storage, and other value-added facilities; and
(B) Provision of technical assistance to develop in-state capacity to supply state institutions and other markets.
(c) The department of agriculture shall establish criteria for the award of initial start-up grant funding or subsequent expansion funding under the pilot program, including the following provisions:
(1) Priority shall be given to organizations with demonstrated experience in aggregation, washing, minimal processing, packaging, cold storage, and other value-additions for delivering local produce to local markets;
(2) Qualifying applicants shall include limited liability companies, for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, and agricultural cooperatives with requisite insurance requirements for delivering local produce to local markets;
(3) Applicants seeking to launch new establishment of food hubs in areas where none currently exist shall have first secured a physical location for the food hub and drafted a detailed plan for the food hub's operation, including activities that the applicant intends to engage in, such as serving as a marketplace for buying and selling, or providing certified kitchen space in which multiple farmers may share use of facilities for value-added product development; and
(4) Applicants shall explain their intended actions to increase access to locally produced food.
(d) The department of agriculture shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the administration and operation of the pilot program.
SECTION 3. (a) The department of agriculture shall submit interim reports on:
(1) The department's progress in implementing this Act;
(2) Preliminary results of the food hub pilot program; and
(3) The department's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation,
to the legislature no later than twenty days prior
to the convening of the regular sessions of 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
(b)
The department shall submit a final 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 2025.
The report shall include the results of the food hub pilot program and a
recommendation as to whether the program should be made permanent, with or
without modifications.
SECTION 4. 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 2020-2021 for the establishment of a five-year food hub pilot program, including the awarding of grant moneys to qualifying food hubs.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112.
Report Title:
HDOA; Food Hub Pilot Program; Grant Funding; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a five-year food hub pilot program to increase access to local food. Provides for the award of grant funding by qualified applicants wishing to establish or expand a food hub. Requires reports to the legislature. Appropriates funds. Takes effect on 7/1/2112. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
