Report Title:

Macadamia nut industry

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for macadamia nut research.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

366

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Relating to Macadamia nut research.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that macadamia nut farming is a significant part of the State's agricultural industry. As international competition increases, it becomes critical that our macadamia nut industry be at the forefront of research and development.

Seventy-eight per cent of Hawaii's macadamia nut trees are fifteen years or older. It has been shown that macadamia nut trees in some areas reach their peak in nut production between fifteen and twenty years of age. This data provides strong evidence suggesting that production and quality will deteriorate as the trees age, and that most macadamia nut trees in Hawaii will be or are already beyond their prime.

The legislature also finds that further research into this problem needs to be conducted. The cost of this research is estimated to be $60,000 per year. The macadamia nut industry recognizes the importance of this research and is willing to share the cost for its funding.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of agriculture for macadamia nut research.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $30,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the sum of $30,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 to be matched by private sources on a one-to-one basis for macadamia nut research to be conducted in conjunction with the macadamia nut industry.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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