HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	313
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		H.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 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.

The purpose of this Act is to benefit farmers and ranchers in the State by appropriating funds to the University of Hawaii to establish a foreign agriculture small equipment pilot program 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.

SECTION 2. 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 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 University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. The University of Hawaii 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 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Foreign Agriculture Small Equipment; Pilot Program; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to establish a foreign agriculture small equipment pilot program. Requires a report to the legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

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