Bill Text: HI HR174 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requesting The Department Of Agriculture, In Consultation With The Agribusiness Development Corporation, To Examine Existing Laws Related To The Sugar And Pineapple Industries And Determine Whether Updates Should Be Made For The Utilization Of Diversified Crops.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-31 - Report adopted. referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Gates, Ichiyama, Ilagan, Kila, Poepoe, Quinlan excused (6). [HR174 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-HR174-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
174 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION, TO EXAMINE EXISTING LAWS RELATED TO THE SUGAR AND PINEAPPLE
INDUSTRIES AND DETERMINE WHETHER UPDATES SHOULD BE MADE FOR THE UTILIZATION OF
DIVERSIFIED CROPS.
WHEREAS, the downsizing of the sugar and pineapple industries presented an unprecedented opportunity for the conversion of agriculture into a dynamic growth industry; and
WHEREAS, the State is able to use public agricultural lands to enhance the local economy, provide employment opportunities, decrease reliance on imported agricultural products, and provide more sources of locally grown food for residents; and
WHEREAS, a valuable inventory of supporting infrastructure including irrigation systems, roads, drainage systems, processing facilities, workshops, and warehouses that are still largely underutilized was left vacant by the downsizing of the sugar and pineapple industries; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Resource Management Division of the Department of Agriculture administers the development and management of land and water, which are two key ingredients essential to sustaining agricultural operations; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Hawaii's limited land and water resources, the Department of Agriculture is charged with preserving these important resources to ensure the viability of Hawaii's diversified agricultural industry; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture also operates the State's Agricultural Parks Program under the Agricultural Resource Management Division to assist individuals who are interested in leasing land for farming ventures by providing irrigation water and reasonably priced farmland with infrastructure and facilities to encourage competition within the industry; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Development Division of the Department of Agriculture is tasked with promoting the economic viability of commercial agriculture in Hawaii by sponsoring joint marketing programs for agricultural products with high revenue growth potentials; facilitating the development and expansion of marketing opportunities for targeted agricultural and processed products; and providing timely, accurate, and useful statistics; and
WHEREAS, the Agribusiness Development Corporation was established in 1994 to facilitate and provide direction for the transition of Hawaii's agriculture industry from the dominance of sugar and pineapple to one composed of a diversity of crops; and
WHEREAS, the Agribusiness Development Corporation is tasked with coordinating and administering programs to assist agricultural enterprises to facilitate the transition of agricultural infrastructure from plantation operations into other agricultural enterprises, increasing local production of agricultural products for local consumption, reducing the State's reliance on imported agricultural products, and increasing access to farmland and related infrastructure for small local farmers and cooperatives; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Agribusiness Development Corporation, is requested to examine existing laws related to the sugar and pineapple industries and determine whether updates should be made for the utilization of diversified crops; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to 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; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Executive Director of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.
Agriculture;
Diversified Crops; Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development
Corporation
