THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2424

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

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 capacities 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 without appropriate grant administration and guidance and may lead to compliance issues.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish and fund within the department of agriculture one full‑time equivalent (1.0 FTE) program specialist position to perform various functions to maximize funding opportunities from federal and other sources for agricultural purposes.

     SECTION 2.  There is established within the department of agriculture one full‑time equivalent (1.0 FTE) program specialist position to:

     (1)  Seek and write grants;

     (2)  Provide technical assistance and grant program administration;

     (3)  Perform needs assessments;

     (4)  Make recommendations to the chairperson of the board of agriculture; and

     (5)  Assist farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators in:

          (A)  Applying for and obtaining grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture and other sources; and

          (B)  Fulfilling and complying with the requirements of awarded grants;

          provided that priority for assistance shall be given to farmers and ranchers who produce local food, at least some portion of which is consumed within the State.

     SECTION 3.  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 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 2024-2025 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

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

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

DOA; Program Specialist Position; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture a program specialist position.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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