Bill Text: HI HB2546 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Agriculture; Farms; Grant Program; Special Fund; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-03-16 - The committee on WLA deferred the measure. [HB2546 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB2546-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2546 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that agriculture is important to the economy of the State, provides many jobs for residents, and contributes to the health and well-being of the entire community.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the agriculture grant program within the department of agriculture to assist qualified farmers by providing grants for specific agricultural purposes.
SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§141- Agriculture grant program; agriculture grant program special fund. (a) There is established within the department of agriculture an agriculture grant program that shall assist qualified farmers by providing grants to:
(1) Expand farm operations;
(2) Improve farm productivity;
(3) Change or add specific crops produced on farms;
(4) Invest in food safety improvements on farms; and
(5) Provide for farm workforce development.
(b) There is established in the state treasury the agriculture grant program special fund to be administered by the department of agriculture and into which shall be deposited appropriations made by the legislature to the special fund. Moneys in the special fund shall be used for the purposes of this section.
(c) The agriculture grant program shall provide grants to qualified farmers in an amount no greater than fifty per cent of the amount that is privately invested in a farm for one or more of the purposes in subsection (a); provided that the program shall provide no more than $500,000 to any specific qualified farmer in one calendar year.
(d) The department of agriculture shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this section.
(e) As used in this section:
"Farm" means any property:
(1) That is zoned for agricultural use;
(2) Where lawful activity is conducted solely or primarily for the production of one or more agricultural products or commodities for sale and home use; and
(3) That customarily produces agricultural products or commodities in sufficient quantity to be capable of contributing materially to the operator's support.
"Qualified farmer" means a person who:
(1) Is a citizen of the United States, or a permanent resident alien, who has resided in the State for the preceding three years;
(2) Has proven farming ability and who has operated their own farm for two or more years; and
(3) Devotes most of their time or derives most of their net income from the farming operation."
SECTION 3. 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 2016-2017 to be deposited into the agriculture grant program special fund.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the agriculture grant program special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the agriculture grant program to provide grants to qualified farmers; provided that no more than $100,000 may be used to administer the program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on January 20, 2050.
Report Title:
Agriculture; Farms; Grant Program; Special Fund; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the Agriculture Grant Program and Agriculture Grant Program Special Fund to provide grants to qualified farmers for certain farming activities. Makes an appropriation. (HB2546 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
