THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

881

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 163D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§163D-    Grants.  (a)  There is established in the agribusiness development corporation a grant program to be administered by the corporation to provide financial support for agriculture-related improvements to existing and emerging farms and agribusiness operations.

     (b)  Applications for grants by qualified persons shall include the name of the requesting organization or individual; the public purpose for the grant; the service to be supported by the grant; the target group; and the cost of the grant and the budget.  Applications shall be filed with accompanying documentation of project cost as may be required by the corporation for projects developed within the immediately preceding fiscal quarter and shall represent reasonable projections of project costs for the period in which the project is anticipated to commence; provided that the applicant shall:

     (1)  Comply with applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability;

     (2)  Have applied for or received all applicable licenses or permits;

     (3)  Indemnify and save harmless the State of Hawaii and its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims arising out of or resulting from activities carried out or projects undertaken with funds provided hereunder, and procure sufficient insurance to provide this indemnification if requested to do so by the corporation; and

     (4)  Implement any of the following:

         (A)  Agriculture-related projects on an existing farm or agribusiness operation;

         (B)  Plans to modernize or expand an existing farm or agribusiness operation;

         (C)  Agriculture-related equipment modification or replacement;

         (D)  Programs designed to develop new markets or products; or

         (E)  Farmer and agriculture-related advisory, consultative, training, and educational services, technical assistance, and advice to any person, partnership, or corporation either public or private.

     (c)  Upon award of a grant under this section, the applicant shall submit quarterly reports to the corporation of expenditures made during the quarter, and in the aggregate. Quarterly reports shall identify the particular project cost expended and shall be submitted at the end of each of the applicant's fiscal quarter.

     (d)  The grant may not exceed a total of $      per qualified person per year."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST

 


 


 

Report Title:

Agribusiness Development Corporation; Grants

 

Description:

Establishes a grant program within chapter 163D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

 

 

 

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