Report Title:

Farm management practices

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for each year of the 2001-2003 fiscal biennium to the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources (UH-CTAHR) to: (1) Create and encourage the use of innovative farm management practices that have minimum negative impact on the environment; and (2) Expand UH-CTAHR's agricultural diagnostic services center.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1286

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR AGRICULTURE.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes that agriculture is a primary growth sector in the State and critical to economic strength and stability. However, improving groundwater and surface water, increasing food safety, reducing pesticide risks, and maintaining the quality of Hawaii's unique and varied ecosystems are important state priorities. So while it is important to support the growth of agriculture, efforts must be taken to protect Hawaii's environment from any adverse and unsound agricultural practices.

The legislature finds that urban, industrial, military, and agricultural uses of land have resulted in unintended soil contamination with hazardous heavy metals and organic compounds. A safe and effective way to remediate these contaminated sites is through bioremediation, which uses plants to consume metal and organic residues.

The legislature also finds that the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources (UH-CTAHR) is engaged in research and outreach in promoting agricultural practices that do not have negative impacts on the environment, and developing bioremediation capabilities for environmental cleanup. However, more work needs to be done to create and encourage the adoption of innovative practices that minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers, while fighting against tropical pests and pathogens and to enable livestock producers to manage waste in accordance with federal and state laws.

To allow routine analysis of large volumes of plant, soil, and water samples for biorememdiation work, UH-CTAHR must expand its agricultural diagnostic service center.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to promote innovative farm management practices and to expand UH-CTAHR's agricultural diagnostic service center.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 to:

(1) Create and encourage and use of innovative farm management practices that have minimum negative impact on the environment; and

(2) Expand the University of Hawaii, college of tropical agriculture and human resources, agricultural diagnostic services center;

provided that the sums appropriated shall be added to the base budget request of the University of Hawaii.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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