THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2417
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

related 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 Unites 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. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

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 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 sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The university of Hawaii shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

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

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to establish a Foreign Agriculture Small Equipment Pilot Program. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Requires a report to the Legislature.

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