THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

160

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to agriculture.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established within the department of agriculture a Korean natural farming pilot program.  The purpose of the Korean natural farming pilot program shall be to explore the feasibility of using Korean natural farming techniques to combat various agricultural pests in Hawaii, including but not limited to the little fire ant, coffee berry borer, papaya ringspot virus, macadamia felted coccid, macadamia fungus, banana bungee, coqui frogs, and fire weed.

     (b)  The Korean natural farming pilot program shall be headed by a Korean natural farming coordinator who shall work in collaboration with the appropriate stakeholders to incorporate Korean natural farming techniques in combating agricultural pests in Hawaii.

     (c)  For the purposes of this section, "Korean natural farming" means a farming technique that involves collecting and culturing indigenous microorganisms and reintroducing them into an agroecosystem.

     (d)  The department of agriculture shall submit a report to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of     , of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, regarding the Korean natural farming pilot program.

     SECTION 2.  Section 141-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  Subject to legislative appropriation, moneys in the special fund may be expended for the following purposes:

     (1)  The awarding of grants to farmers for agricultural production or processing activity;

     (2)  The acquisition of real property for agricultural production or processing activity;

     (3)  The improvement of real property, dams, reservoirs, irrigation systems, and transportation networks necessary to promote agricultural production or processing activity, including investigative studies to identify and assess necessary improvements to dams, reservoirs, irrigation systems, and transportation networks;

     (4)  The purchase of equipment necessary for agricultural production or processing activity;

     (5)  The conduct of research on and testing of agricultural products and markets;

     (6)  The funding of agricultural inspector positions within the department of agriculture;

     (7)  The promotion and marketing of agricultural products grown or raised in the State;

     (8)  Water quality testing and improvement; [and]

     (9)  Funding for the Korean natural farming pilot program established pursuant to Act      , Session Laws of Hawaii 2017; and

    [(9)] (10)  Any other activity intended to increase agricultural production or processing that may lead to reduced importation of food, fodder, or feed from outside the State."

     SECTION 3.  Section 243-3.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  In addition to any other taxes provided by law, subject to the exemptions set forth in section 243-7, there is hereby imposed a state environmental response, energy, and food security tax on each barrel or fractional part of a barrel of petroleum product sold by a distributor to any retail dealer or end user of petroleum product, other than a refiner.  The tax shall be $1.05 on each barrel or fractional part of a barrel of petroleum product that is not aviation fuel; provided that of the tax collected pursuant to this subsection:

     (1)  5 cents of the tax on each barrel shall be deposited into the environmental response revolving fund established under section 128D-2;

     (2)  15 cents of the tax on each barrel shall be deposited into the energy security special fund established under section 201-12.8;

     (3)  10 cents of the tax on each barrel shall be deposited into the energy systems development special fund established under section 304A-2169.1; and

     (4)  [15]       cents of the tax on each barrel shall be deposited into the agricultural development and food security special fund established under section 141-10.

     The tax imposed by this subsection shall be paid by the distributor of the petroleum product."

     SECTION 4.  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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Korean natural farming coordinator position in the department of agriculture to implement the Korean natural farming pilot program.

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

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017, and shall be repealed on June 30,     ; provided that sections 141‑10(c) and 243-3.5(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which they read on the day prior to the effective date of this Act.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Agriculture; Korean Natural Farming Program; Korean Natural Farming Coordinator; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for the Korean natural farming pilot program to combat various agricultural pests in Hawaii.  Repeals on June 30,     .

 

 

 

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