THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

70

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

CONVENING AN AGRICULTURE POLICY TASK FORCE TO REVIEW AGRICULTURAL POLICIES FROM OTHER STATES TO ASSIST WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HAWAII'S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the local agriculture industry is highly significant to Hawaii's economy and the public's well-being; and

 

     WHEREAS, food safety, costs, and availability; clean air; and clean water are issues of public concern that should be considered in expanding the State's agricultural industry; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is not unique in its need to encourage the growth of its local agriculture industry, and other states may offer examples of agriculture policies that preserve competition and safety; and

 

     WHEREAS, immediate support for the State's agriculture industry would improve food self-sufficiency and security; increase sustainability, job opportunities, and Hawaii agricultural exports; and contribute to the diversification of the State's economy; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, that the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture is requested to convene an agriculture policy task force to review agriculture policies from other states that may be effective in Hawaii to assist with the development of the local agricultural industry; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to include the following members or the member's designee:

 

     (1)  Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, who is requested to serve as the chairperson of the task force;

 

     (2)  Director of Health;

 

     (3)  Director of Transportation;

 

     (4)  Mayor of each county;

 

     (5)  Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture;

 

     (6)  Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture;

 

     (7)  Two state legislators who represent agricultural areas of the State, to be appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

 

     (8)  Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii;

 

     (9)  President of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation;

 

    (10)  A representative of local agriculture product wholesalers, to be appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate;

 

    (11)  President of the Hawaii Food Industry Association; and

 

    (12)  President of the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to focus its review on good agricultural practices, water resources, air quality, and food safety; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to 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 2013; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to assist the task force in preparing its findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation; provided that the Chairperson of the task force is requested to submit a draft of the task force's recommendations to the Legislative Reference Bureau for drafting no later than November 1, 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Director of Health; Director of Transportation; Mayor of each county; Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture; Chairperson of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture; Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii; President of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; President of Hawaii Food Industry Association; President of the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association; and Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Report Title: 

Convening a Legislative Agriculture Policy Task Force to Review Agricultural Policies from Other States to Assist with the Development of Hawaii's Agricultural Industry