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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
94 |
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TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AGRICULTURAL TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROTECTION OF EXISTING AGRICULTURAL LAND RESOURCES AND THEIR COMPONENTS.
WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that land is the basic resource in the production of all agricultural commodities, and that the supply of lands suitable for the production of agricultural commodities is an irreplaceable resource; and
WHEREAS, the long-term viability of agriculture depends not only on the availability of land; it depends also on factors that affect the profitability of agriculture, such as commodity prices, the availability of water for irrigation, the application of production technologies, marketing, and transportation services; and
WHEREAS, article XI, section 3, of the state constitution requires the State to conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency, and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands; and
WHEREAS, there has been a dramatic shift in agriculture throughout the State. Former plantation lands, once dedicated to sugarcane and pineapple production, are now producing diversified crops. Niche markets for specialty, high-value agricultural crops are emerging; and
WHEREAS, the long-term viability of agriculture is critical to State efforts to diversify and expand Hawaii's economic base, and is vital to the quality of the visitor experience and the livelihood and well-being of Hawaii's residents. Thus, the Legislature finds that there is a need to fulfill the State's obligation under article XI, section 3, of the state constitution to sustain Hawaii's agricultural capability and diversify the State's economy; and
WHEREAS, in hearings conducted by the Joint House Committee on Agriculture and Water and Land Use in August and September, 2001, many testifiers acknowledged problems with the encroachment of non-agricultural uses on agricultural lands; and many testified as well that more work was needed to improve agricultural viability, remove barriers to agricultural profitability, and increase incentives for retaining agricultural land in agricultural use; and
WHEREAS, as a result of these interim hearings an "agricultural coalition" was successfully formed consisting of land owners and land owner groups, farmers represented by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, the Department of Agriculture, and the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources with is Dean serving as facilitator; and
WHEREAS, the agriculture coalition focused on the means by which agricultural diversity and self-sufficiency could be promoted and increased through the utilization of prime agricultural lands, training programs in the University of Hawaii system, incentives and availability of capital to encourage entry and retention in farming; and
WHEREAS, the interim hearings also resulted in the introduction of H.B. No. 2662, which addresses other aspects of the aforementioned constitutional mandate including identifying, conserving, protecting, and assuring the availability of important agricultural lands; as well as legislative standards and criteria governing petitions to reclassify and rezone these lands; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the Senate concurring, that the Director of the Office of Planning and the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture are requested to formalize the agricultural coalition by establishing a task force on agricultural industry development to:
(1) Improve the viability of agriculture in Hawaii and expand agricultural opportunities; and
(2) Increase the role of agriculture in the diversification of Hawaii's economy;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director and the Chairperson are requested to ensure that members of the task force represent a broad range of public, private, and community interests, including the Executive Director of the Agribusiness Development Corporation; the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii; the Executive Officer of the Land Use Commission; farmers and agricultural entities; county planning agencies; other state, county, and federal agencies; landowners; business interests; agricultural research interests; environmental organizations; and Hawaiian and community public interest groups; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to:
(1) Identify barriers to farmers and agriculture, including financing, water, transportation, distribution channels, marketing, and tax policies; and develop recommendations for legislative proposals and program initiatives to address barriers to agricultural profitability;
(2) Examine incentive-based approaches, and other tools and incentives for the long-term protection of agricultural lands for agricultural use, and develop recommendations for legislative proposals and program initiatives for agricultural land protection strategies, including the establishment of financing mechanisms for agricultural land protection; and
(3) Examine how the agricultural district standards in chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statues, might be improved to prevent encroachment of non-agricultural uses on agricultural lands, and develop recommendations for legislative proposals to amend the agricultural district standards in chapter 205;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director and the Chairperson are requested to ensure that the task force provides opportunities for public participation and comment in each county during its deliberations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director and the Chairperson are requested to submit:
(1) A preliminary report of the task force's findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Governor and Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2003; and
(2) A final report of its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Governor and Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Director of the Office of Planning, the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, the Executive Director of the Agribusiness Development Corporation; the Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii; the President of the University of Hawaii; the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii; and the Executive Officer of the Land Use Commission.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Report Title:
AG Task Force; Develop Recommendations