HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	974
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
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 there are many funding opportunities from federal sources offering support for agricultural purposes that remain untapped or overlooked due to the lack of adequate grant writing and grant administration capacity and expertise in the department of agriculture. Establishing a program specialist position to seek and write grants, provide technical assistance, provide grant program administration, perform needs assessments, and make recommendations to the chairperson of the board of agriculture, is critical for building and providing that capability within the department of agriculture. Additionally, many of Hawaii's farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators struggle to secure the financial support necessary to establish a thriving, vibrant business. Many smaller farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators lack the necessary business and management expertise to seek out and apply for the various sources of funding available to them, including funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture and other sources. To obtain grants from such sources, applicants must complete an application process that is sometimes arduous and complex. Without specific technical expertise in grant writing, it is difficult for many small farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators to obtain those grants. In addition, certain requirements of the grants may be difficult to understand and may lead to compliance issues without appropriate grant administration and guidance.

The purpose of this Act is to establish and fund a full-time program specialist position within the department of agriculture to seek and write grants, provide technical assistance, provide grant program administration, perform needs assessments, make recommendations to the chairperson of the board of agriculture, and assist farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators in applying for and obtaining grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture and other sources, and to assist them with fulfilling and complying with the requirements of the grants.

SECTION 2. There is established within the department of agriculture a grant specialist position, which shall be a full-time program specialist position to seek and write grants, provide technical assistance, provide grant program administration, perform needs assessments, make recommendations to the chairperson of the board of agriculture, and assist farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators in applying for and obtaining grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture and other sources, and to assist them with fulfilling and complying with the requirements of the grants; provided that priority shall be given to farmers and ranchers who produce local food that is at least partially consumed within the State.

SECTION 3. 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 carry out the purposes of this Act.

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

SECTION 4. This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	BY REQUEST

Report Title:

Department of Agriculture; Program Specialist Position; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a program specialist position within the Department of Agriculture and appropriates moneys to fund the position. Prioritizes assistance for farmers and ranchers who produce local food that is at least partially consumed within the State.

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