Bill Text: HI HB657 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Agriculture.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [HB657 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB657-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
657 |
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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 AGRICULTURE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that there is potentially numerous acreage designated for hemp production on Oahu, Hawaii island, Maui, and Kauai and that the lack of access to processing infrastructure hinders the ability of growers and producers to engage in large-scale processing of hemp plants. Thus, infrastructure established by the department of agriculture can provide for meaningful growth of the hemp industry and related jobs in the State.
The legislature additionally finds that the unusable parts of processed hemp can be used to support organic composting in the State. Infrastructure could also be used by invasive species committees and the department of land and natural resources to properly process and dispose of invasive plant species to disrupt a potential route of contamination back into the land while also freeing up landfill space.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to hire a consultant to identify the infrastructure needs of hemp farmers and the hemp industry in Hawaii; and
(2) Require the consultant to prepare and submit a report of the consultant's findings.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of agriculture shall hire a consultant to work with hemp farmers to identify the infrastructure needs of hemp farmers and the hemp industry in Hawaii, considering the unique needs and geographic spread of licensed hemp farmers in the State and the various needs of the hemp industry.
(b) No later than July 1, 2024, the consultant shall submit to the legislature, governor, and chairperson of the board of agriculture a report of the consultant's findings through a concise outline of recommended infrastructure by island.
(c) The outline shall include schematics showing the various processing steps and infrastructure needed from harvest to product for various sectors, with:
(1) Approximate costs per infrastructure component;
(2) Sizing and capacity options (e.g., mobile vs. fixed and volume/mass per day); and
(3) The approximate square footage required per component.
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 for the department of agriculture to hire a consultant to:
(1) Work with hemp farmers in Hawaii to identify the infrastructure needs of hemp farmers and the hemp industry in Hawaii; and
(2) Prepare and submit a report of the consultant's findings,
pursuant to section 2 of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.
Report Title:
Hemp; Infrastructure Needs; Consultant; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for the department of agriculture to hire a consultant to work with hemp farmers to identify the infrastructure needs of hemp farmers and the hemp industry in Hawaii. Requires report to the legislature, governor, and chairperson of the board of agriculture. 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.
