HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

478

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

C.D. 1

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that rising prison populations and shrinking correctional budgets have made reducing costs important for correctional facilities.

     The legislature further finds that prison farm programs can reduce correctional costs by producing food in-house, increase food self-sufficiency for correctional facilities, and address the correctional issues of underused labor power and inmates in need of programs and rehabilitation.

     The legislature further finds that inmates working on prison farm programs tend to be less aggressive, less prone to recidivism, and healthier, and tend to consume a higher-quality diet.  Farm inmates are also exposed to a functioning workplace and gain benefits such as employability, time management and responsibility skills, access to nature, individual and team building skills, and conflict resolution.

     Prison farm programs also offer a unique environment where inmates learn a variety of technical skills and trades.  Farm inmates also learn the practice of horticulture, including caring for and identifying plants, managing and controlling pests, applying planting and harvesting techniques, and performing watering and weeding.  Farm inmates also have the opportunity to learn to drive and operate a tractor and learn to repair farm machinery.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for:

     (1)  A full-time temporary agricultural management position and equipment for Kulani correctional facility agriculture operations; and

     (2)  A full-time temporary agricultural management position and equipment for Waiawa correctional facility agriculture operations.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) temporary agricultural management position in the department of public safety to manage agricultural operations at Kulani correctional facility.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 for equipment for Kulani correctional facility agriculture operations, as determined to be necessary by the agricultural manager.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) temporary agricultural management position in the department of public safety to manage agricultural operations at Waiawa correctional facility.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 for equipment for Waiawa correctional facility agriculture operations, as determined to be necessary by the agricultural manager.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.



 

Report Title:

Kulani Correctional Facility; Waiawa Correctional Facility; Agriculture Operations; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for full-time temporary agricultural management positions and equipment expenses for Kulani and Waiawa correctional facilities' agriculture operations.  (HB478 CD1)

 

 

 

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