HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2274

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE AGRICULTURAL LOAN REVOLVING FUND.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii is the most geographically isolated state in the country and is dangerously dependent on imported food, placing residents at risk of food shortages in event of transportation disruptions, natural disasters at out of state production sites, and other external factors beyond the State's control.  High levels of food importation result in lost job opportunities for local residents and exports dollars out of the State.

     Expansion of local food production is vital to protect Hawaii's citizens.  The 2014 Aloha+ Challenge resolution was adopted by the legislature, the governor, the mayors of each county, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs identifying six targets that the State would commit to reaching by 2030, one of which is doubling local food production.  In order for the local agricultural industry to develop, expand, and thrive, access to affordable capital will be essential.  The legislature finds that the state agricultural loan programs provide affordable capital for new farmers to start their operations or expand existing operations.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide additional funding to the state agricultural loan program in order to meet the demand of a growing agricultural sector.  Increased funding will allow for additional farming operations due to the recent purchase of the Galbraith lands and other state projects statewide.  With additional resources, the State will be able to continue its growth of import replacements and food sustainability.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to be paid into the agricultural loan revolving fund created in section 155-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  The sum appropriated by this Act shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of the fund.

     SECTION 3.   This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST


 


 

Report Title:

Agricultural Loan Program

 

Description:

Appropriates $4,000,000 for the agricultural loan program to increase the State's food sustainability.

 

 

 

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