HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	313
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 2

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, as the demand for unskilled labor increases, farmers and ranchers are searching for ways to use technology to better operate their farms. The legislature further finds that certain foreign technology, like small equipment tractors from Japan, could be greatly beneficial to farmers and ranchers. However, this type of equipment cannot be imported because it does not comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's emission standards for small engines.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to benefit farmers and ranchers in the State by establishing and appropriating funds for a foreign agriculture small equipment pilot program. The pilot program shall be established at a university of Hawaii community college selected by the university of Hawaii and administered by the department of agriculture, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii. The pilot program shall identify and purchase foreign agricultural technology, including small equipment tractors, and retrofit engines to comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's emission standards for small engines.

SECTION 2. The legislature finds that facilitating the importation of foreign agriculture small equipment is a matter of statewide concern.

SECTION 3. There is established the foreign agriculture small equipment pilot program at a university of Hawaii community college that shall be selected by the university of Hawaii. The pilot program shall be administered by the department of agriculture in collaboration with the university of Hawaii. The pilot program shall identify and purchase foreign agricultural technology, including small equipment tractors, and retrofit engines to comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's emission standards for small engines.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish the foreign agriculture small equipment pilot program at a university of Hawaii community college selected by the university of Hawaii, to identify and purchase foreign agricultural technology, including small equipment tractors, and retrofit engines to comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's emission standards for small engines.

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

SECTION 5. The department of agriculture shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the foreign agriculture small equipment pilot program, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

HDOA; UH; Foreign Agriculture Small Equipment Pilot Program; Report; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for the Foreign Agriculture Small Equipment Pilot Program at a University of Hawaii community college, to be administered by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the University of Hawaii. Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for the Pilot Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

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