Bill Text: HI SB1257 | 2017 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 1257 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Livestock Harvest Facilities.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-16 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SB1257 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2017-SB1257-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1257
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LIVESTOCK HARVEST FACILITIES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the cattle industry in Hawaii has a long-standing history, beginning with the gift of cattle to King Kamehameha in 1793. The industry has since seen numerous changes in production practices and has adapted to market conditions. The industry was locally focused until the 1990s when it became more cost effective to send cattle to pasture on the mainland. Recently, there has been a resurgence in the number of cattle that remain in Hawaii for local consumption, and challenges have arisen due to that resurgence.

The legislature further finds that livestock harvest facilities in Hawaii have had to adapt to the various industry changes, and the owners of these facilities have had to make difficult decisions over the years to remain competitive and continue to serve local markets. After adapting in the 1990s when cattle was predominantly sent to the mainland, many facilities are not equipped to handle the recent resurgence of cattle remaining in Hawaii before harvest. Specifically, these facilities were built for a set throughput of livestock, which makes it difficult to effectively adapt to changing industry conditions. Many facilities need major improvements to remain competitive and serve the community, the significant costs of which can be prohibitive.

The legislature believes that the renewed focus on keeping more cattle in Hawaii presents the opportunity to prepare for the future now. Planning and design funding is needed to provide comprehensive and scalable plans for livestock harvest facilities that can be utilized throughout the State. The planning for these facilities would provide for anticipated future growth of the industry and for adaptability to changing throughput for which the existing facilities were never able to account. This effort should provide a model for adaptable use in varied locales, focus on more efficient processing technologies and equipment, and provide stability within the industry as the State continues to expand the local food supply.

The purpose of this Act is to support, maintain, and prepare for the future of Hawaii's cattle industry.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 for the planning and design of scalable livestock harvest facilities.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Livestock Harvest Facilities; Department of Agriculture; Appropriation

Description:

Makes an appropriation for the planning and design of scalable livestock harvest facilities to be expended by DOA. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

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