Bill Text: HI HB974 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Agriculture.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-03-25 - Received notice of discharge of all conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457). [HB974 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB974-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
974 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds there are many funding opportunities from
federal sources offering support for agricultural purposes that remain untapped
or overlooked due to the lack of adequate grant writing and grant
administration capacity and expertise in the department of agriculture. Establishing a program specialist position to
seek and write grants, provide technical assistance, provide grant
program administration, perform needs assessments, and make
recommendations to the chairperson of the board of agriculture is critical for
building and providing that capability within the department of
agriculture. Additionally, many of Hawaii's farmers, ranchers, and other
agricultural operators struggle to secure the financial support necessary to
establish a thriving, vibrant business. Many smaller farmers, ranchers, and other
agricultural operators lack the necessary business and management expertise to
seek out and apply for the various sources of funding available to them,
including funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture and
other sources. To obtain grants from
such sources, applicants must complete an application process that is sometimes
arduous and complex. Without specific
technical expertise in grant writing, it is difficult for many small farmers,
ranchers, and other agricultural operators to obtain those grants. In addition, certain requirements of the
grants may be difficult to understand and may lead to compliance issues without
appropriate grant administration and guidance.
The purpose of
this Act is to establish and fund a full‑time program specialist position
within the department of agriculture to seek and write grants;
provide technical assistance; provide grant program administration; perform
needs assessments; make recommendations to the chairperson
of the board of agriculture; and assist farmers,
ranchers, and other agricultural operators in applying for and obtaining
grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture and other
sources, and to assist them with fulfilling and complying with the requirements
of the grants.
SECTION 2. There is established within the department of
agriculture a grant specialist position, which shall be a full‑time
program specialist position to seek and write grants; provide technical
assistance; provide grant program administration; perform needs assessments;
make recommendations to the chairperson of the board of agriculture; and assist
farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators in applying for and
obtaining grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture and
other sources and fulfilling and complying with the requirements of the grants;
provided that priority for assistance shall be given to farmers and ranchers
who produce local food, at least some portion of which is consumed within 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 to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
The sums 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:
HDOA; Program Specialist Position; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a program specialist position within the Department of Agriculture and appropriates moneys to fund the position. Requires the grant specialist to prioritize assistance for farmers and ranchers who produce local food, at least some portion of which is consumed within the State. Effective 6/30/3000. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
