HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

491

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to agriculture.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's economy and people are severely dependent on imported resources, including petroleum, food products, animal feed, fertilizers, and other essential goods.  Specifically, the legislature recognizes that imported petroleum accounts for ninety per cent of Hawaii's current energy requirements and that imported food accounts for nearly eighty-five per cent of the food consumed in the State.  This overreliance on imported products, exacerbated by dwindling local fresh water supplies and waste management facilities nearing capacity, have led to a situation where the future sustainability of Hawaii is called into question.

     The legislature finds that to meet local needs for food, water, and energy while maintaining or improving the quality of Hawaii's natural environment, it is necessary to develop and implement an economic framework that allows Hawaii to reduce its dependence on imported products, including through maximizing reuse of wastewater and other waste materials, establishing environmentally-appropriate farming methods, and identifying Hawaii-appropriate energy technologies.  Establishing this framework will also provide an economic boon, open new job markets, and increase the presence of agribusiness in Hawaii.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of agriculture to issue a request for competitive sealed proposals for the development of a data analysis system that can be used to establish an economic framework that reduces Hawaii's dependence on imported products.

     SECTION 2.  The department of agriculture may issue a request for competitive sealed proposals

pursuant to section 103D-303, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the development of a data analysis system that includes a decisionmaking tool that promotes the development and implementation of an economic framework that allows Hawaii to reduce dependence on imported products, including through maximizing reuse of wastewater and other waste materials, establishing environmentally-appropriate farming methods, identifying optimum crops, and identifying energy technologies appropriate for Hawaii.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the agricultural development and food security special fund the sum of $750,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for a data analysis system as provided in section 2 of this Act; provided that no state funds shall be made available under this Act unless matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by private donations.

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 July 1, 2014.


 


 

Report Title:

Data Analysis System; Imported Products; Department of Agriculture

 

Description:

Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to request competitive sealed proposals for a data analysis system to be used to develop an economic framework to reduce dependence on imported products.  Appropriation.  Effective July 1, 2014.  (HB491 HD2)

 

 

 

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