THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	160
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017		S.D. 1
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.  There is appropriated out of the agricultural development and food security special fund the sum of $100,000 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 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017, and shall be repealed on June 30,     .

 

 

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,     .  (SD1)

 

 

 

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