HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2338

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION AND FOOD SECURITY.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the department of agriculture's 2020 report entitled, "Report on the Strategic Plan to Double Local Food Production and Exports by 2030", prepared in accordance with Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, provides suggested actions to achieve substantial individual or cumulative increases in local food production and export.  This strategic plan must be updated with supplemental benchmarks to measure progress toward goals quantitatively and qualitatively and to address the changing landscape of the agriculture industry, including the changes sustained by the global and local food systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

     The legislature further finds that it is an urgent necessity for Hawaii to be more food secure.  The COVID-19 pandemic showed the fragility of the State's food system as food manufacturing plants throughout the world shut down, shipping lessened, and food shortages were experienced by retailers and consumers.  Unprecedented stresses were observed on the production, processing, transportation, and consumption of food and food-related items.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to update and supplement the strategic plan to increase Hawaii's food production and food security.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of agriculture, in cooperation with the office of the governor, shall update and supplement the strategic plan to:

     (1)  Set goals to increase the State's food production;

     (2)  Further establish food export markets to increase Hawaii's food security; and

     (3)  Identify benchmarks for increased food production in the State and increased exports of food crops and value-added agricultural products from the State.

     (b)  The strategic plan shall include a phased framework, actions that minimize financial risk to Hawaii producers, baseline data, and specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound goals.

     (c)  The following shall be incorporated into the strategic plan:

     (1)  Calculating the additional costs of developing land transferred from the department of land and natural resources to the department of agriculture for agricultural use;

     (2)  Providing seed, seedlings, and trees that are virus-, disease-, and drought-resistant to new farmers and farmers expanding production;

     (3)  Determining the infrastructure funding needs for food distribution hubs that purchase more from local farmers and ranchers to increase refrigeration, packing and storage;

     (4)  Supporting aquacultural operations to increase food production for local markets; and

     (5)  Determining costs to fund the Hawaii healthy food incentive program, established in section 141-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and expand to larger demographics to include seniors, teachers, and first responders.

     SECTION 3.  The department of agriculture, in cooperation with the office of the governor, shall submit a report on the strategic plan to increase production and food security to the legislature, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $600,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to fund an updated strategic plan as provided in this Act.

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

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST

 

 

Report Title:

DOA; Food Production; Food Security; Updated Strategic Plan; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor, to update and supplement the 2020 strategic plan to increase Hawaii's food production and food security.  Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature 20 days prior to 2025 regular session.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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