HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2837

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to taro.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Act 211, Session Laws of Hawaii 2008, section 2, is amended:

     1.  By amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The task force shall prioritize its objectives, which shall include, but not be limited to the following, in order to ensure that it is able to sufficiently address and render conclusions:

     (1)  Develop guidelines, protocols, and recommendations for taro policy, non-genetic modification based taro research, and the allocation of resources to ensure that taro is saved and protected in Hawaii;

     (2)  Develop a program of incentives and projects that have the support of a broad spectrum of taro growers that will enhance taro security, protect taro purity, provide support to taro farms and farmers, and improve taro markets for the long-term;

     (3)  Support the recovery of traditional Hawaiian taro cultivars throughout the State;

     (4)  Increase public awareness of the value of taro and its role culturally, socially, in health and well-being, environmentally, and economically in the State;

     (5)  Develop a program to provide taro education and training opportunities;

     (6)  Develop a program for commercial taro growers to maximize business viability and success;

     (7)  Develop a taro farming grant program to assist taro farmers in need to preserve the cultural legacy of taro farming for future generations;

     (8)  Discuss the feasibility and impact of requiring the department of land and natural resources to provide reduced lease rent rates for taro farmers on state-leased land; [and]

     (9)  Develop taro research and outreach for the control and eradication of apple snails[.]; and

    (10)  Identify sources of federal, state, county, and private funding that may be used to encourage cultivation of non-genetically-engineered Hawaiian taro varieties for projects related to flood control, food security, non-genetically-engineered Hawaiian taro research, economic development, job creation, education, and water quality protection."

2.  By amending subsection (e) to read as follows:

"(e)  The task force shall submit a preliminary report to the legislature documenting the status of its progress no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009.  The task force shall submit a [final] second preliminary report to the legislature [summarizing its program, the results achieved, actual expenditures, and recommended legislation] documenting the status of its progress no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2010.

The task force shall submit a final report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2012.  The final report shall include:

     (1)  Recommendations to the legislature on how it can promote economic activity and taro cultivation;

     (2)  A summary of its programs;

     (3)  The results achieved by the task force and its programs;

     (4)  The actual expenditures by the task force; and

     (5)  Any recommended legislation."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Taro Security and Purity Task Force

 

Description:

Directs the task force to determine sources of funding for projects that will encourage taro cultivation.  Extends the final report deadline for the taro security and purity task force by 2 years.

 

 

 

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