SB2132 HD1

Report Title:

HARC Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2002-2003 for agricultural research and development at the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center. (SB2132 HD1)

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2132
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

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 agriculture is one of the State’s growth industries and a vital component of the State’s economic base. It provides an economically viable use of the land, preserving the open space cherished by Hawaii's citizens and desired by visitors. The legislature also finds that Hawaii’s agriculture industry has become increasingly diverse with new economic opportunities as prime agricultural land becomes available and quarantine restrictions are overcome. All sectors of agriculture--sugar, pineapple, macadamia, coffee, papaya, flowers, exotic tropical fruits, and so on--are working together to accelerate the expansion of the agriculture industry. To maximize opportunities for maintaining and expanding the agriculture industry and take best advantage of the thousands of acres of prime farmland, production-driven research is paramount.

The legislature finds that the commitment of the private sector is critical to the success of any industry and that the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center exemplifies this commitment to agriculture. The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center serves as a model of private-public partnerships for agricultural research and effectively partners with public institutions, such as the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service and the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources.

The legislature finds that agricultural research at the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center will continue to be a key resource for State efforts to strengthen and improve the agriculture industry, revitalize the economy, and maintain and create employment opportunities for residents, especially in rural areas.

The purpose of this Act is to provide the necessary funds to promote the cost sharing of agricultural research between the public and private sector and assist in maintaining current minimum levels of agricultural research and development at the

Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for agricultural research and development to be performed by the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.

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, 2002.