Report Title:

Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Grant-In-Aid

Description:

Makes a grant-in-aid of $2.5 million per year for fiscal years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 to the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation for agricultural research and market development.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

540

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for agricultural research and development.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that research and market development is critical for the continued growth of Hawaii's agricultural industry. In order to provide the necessary support for the transition of Hawaii's agricultural industry, more resources must be directed towards agricultural research and market development.

The importance of agricultural research is the basic foundation for Hawaii's agricultural industry. The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC) and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources are two very important research organizations that assist the entire agricultural community. For the past few years, funding for all agricultural research has declined dramatically. It is critical to maintain and increase the level of funding to keep Hawaii's agricultural industry competitive in the global market.

Market development is another key component to expanding the opportunities for Hawaii's agribusinesses. Hawaii's small size and isolated location provide challenges to the farmer in the global marketplace. Considerable effort and funds are needed to develop new markets, to expand existing markets, and to support new and existing crops.

The legislature finds that it is in the public interest to support and foster the growth of Hawaii's agricultural industry. Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to provide the necessary funds for agricultural research and market development.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the sum of $2,500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, as a grant-in-aid to the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. The money shall be apportioned to provide $1,500,000 for research and $1,000,000 for market development for fiscal year 2003-2004, and $1,500,000 for research and $1,000,000 for market development for fiscal year 2004-2005.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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