HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1421

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ORGANIC AGRICULTURE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that organic farmers face unique challenges, particularly finding appropriate lands to cultivate.  The legislature also finds that many organic farmers would achieve more efficient crop production if they had greater access to the latest advances in crop science and technology.  The high technology development corporation is ideally suited to assist these farmers in implementing technological innovations to maximize their chances of success.

     The purpose of this Act is to allow the State to better address the needs of our farmers.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§141-     Organic agricultural mobilization program; established.  (a)  The department of agriculture shall establish an organic agricultural mobilization program, under which the department shall provide affordable long-term leases to farmers to establish organic farms.

     (b)  The department shall identify lands under its jurisdiction that are suitable to be leased to farmers pursuant to this section.

     (c)  The department shall determine eligibility requirements for participants in the organic agricultural mobilization program; provided that participants shall be organic farmers.

     (d)  Participants in the program may receive assistance from the high technology development corporation in implementing technological innovations for improved crop cultivation.

     (e)  The department may provide financial assistance to participants of the organic agricultural mobilization program in paying the costs of:

     (1)  Certification by a third party food auditor; and

     (2)  Modifications necessary to receive third party food safety certification.

     (f)  The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, necessary to carry out the purposes of this section."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 206M, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§206M-     Assistance to participants of the combined organic agricultural mobilization program.  The development corporation shall assist participants of the organic agricultural mobilization program, pursuant to section 141‑   (d)."

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for deposit into the agricultural development and food security special fund established pursuant to section 141-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the agricultural development and food security special fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide financial assistance to participants in the organic agricultural mobilization program.

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

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.



 

Report Title:

Agriculture; Combined Organic Agricultural Mobilization Program; HTDC; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires Department of Agriculture to establish an organic agricultural mobilization program to provide affordable long-term leases to farmers to establish organic farms.  Requires the High Technology Development Corporation to assist participants of the program with crop technology.  Makes an appropriation.  Effective July 1, 2020.  (HB1421 HD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.