THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2361
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		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.  The legislature finds that there are many federal funding opportunities for agricultural purposes that remain untapped or overlooked due to the lack of adequate grant writing and grant administration capacity and expertise in the department of agriculture.  Establishing two grant specialist positions to seek and write grants, provide technical assistance, provide grant program administration, perform needs assessments, and make recommendations to the chairperson of agriculture is critical for building and providing that capability within the department of agriculture.

     The legislature also finds that many of Hawaii's farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators struggle to secure the financial support necessary to establish a thriving, vibrant business.  Many small farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators lack the necessary business and management expertise to seek out and apply for the various sources of funding available to them, including funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.  To obtain grants from such sources, applicants must complete an application process that is sometimes arduous and complex.  Without specific technical expertise in grant writing, it is difficult for many small farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators to obtain those grants.  In addition, certain requirements of the grants may be difficult to understand and may lead to compliance issues without appropriate grant administration and guidance.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish and fund two full-time grant specialist positions within the department of agriculture.

     SECTION 2.  There is established within the department of agriculture two permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) grant specialist positions, which shall:

     (1)  Provide technical assistance;

     (2)  Provide grant program administration;

     (3)  Perform needs assessments;

     (4)  Make recommendations to the chairperson of the board of agriculture; and

     (5)  Assist farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators in applying for and obtaining grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture and other sources, as well as assist with fulfilling and complying with the requirements of the grants.

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No.     , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent.  In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $           or      per cent.  The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $225,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

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

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

DOA; Grant Specialist Positions; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes two permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) grant specialist positions within the Department of Agriculture.  Declares that the general expenditure ceiling is exceeded.  Makes an appropriation.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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