HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1968
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources is in critical need of personnel for its cooperative extension service to improve and strengthen Hawaii's sustainability in agriculture through educational programs.  The college of tropical agriculture and human resources houses a cooperative extension service, which partners with federal, state, and county governments to provide science-based information and education programs in agriculture, natural resources, and human resources.  The cooperative extension service offices are located throughout the State, with roughly twenty-five extension agents statewide.  The cooperative extension service provides valuable tools accessible to the public to strengthen communities and sustain Hawaii's agricultural economy.  Extension personnel provide various services to communities within each county, such as individual consultations; educational workshops; and short courses on relevant subjects, including home economics, family living, 4-H and other youth activities, nutrition, and health.

     Over the past twenty years, the college of tropical agriculture and human resources cooperative extension service has experienced a forty-three per cent decrease in extension agents who serve the various counties, including a twenty-seven per cent decrease since 2008.  Many of the community services that the extension service offers have been cut, most importantly ornamental plant services, the production of which exceeds $70,000,000 annually in wholesale value.

     The purpose of this Act is to address the budgetary shortfalls experienced by the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources cooperative extension service by appropriating moneys for additional full-time equivalent ornamental plant extension agent positions.

     SECTION 2.  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 2018-2019 to the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources cooperative extension service for four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) ornamental plant extension agents; provided that one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position shall be located in each of the following locations:

     (1)  The city and county of Honolulu;

     (2)  The eastern portion of the county of Hawaii;

     (3)  The county of Maui; and

     (4)  The county of Kauai.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112.

 

 

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Cooperative Extension Service; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources cooperative extension service for four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) ornamental plant extension agents.  Takes effect 7/1/2112.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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