THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1132

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

S.D. 1

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 that hemp is among the fastest growing plants on earth and can be refined into a variety of useful items such as paper, rope, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, building insulation, biofuel, and animal feed.  Hemp-derived products are so wide-ranging that the creation of a decorticator processing facility and its consequent production and sales of hemp-derived materials have the potential to boost economic growth and create jobs in the State.

     The legislature further finds that there are potentially numerous acreages designated for hemp production on Maui, and that the lack of access to a decorticator facility hinders the ability of growers and producers to engage in large scale processing of hemp plants.  Thus, a decorticator on Maui, established by the department of agriculture, can provide for meaningful growth of the hemp industry and related jobs in the State.

     The legislature additionally finds that the unusable parts of processed hemp can be used to support organic composting in the State.  A decorticator can also be used by the Maui invasive species committee and the department of land and natural resources to properly process and dispose of invasive plant species to disrupt a potential route of contamination back into the land while also freeing up landfill space.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of agriculture to identify land for a centrally accessible decorticator facility on Maui and to plan such a facility for use by all eligible and interested parties in these areas.

     SECTION 2.  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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for department of agriculture to identify a centrally accessible area of Maui, and plan a hemp decorticator facility for private and public use to process hemp and related plants into exportable products.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.


 


 

Report Title:

Decorticator Facility; Maui; Hemp; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture to identify a central area on Maui and plan a hemp decorticator facility for the use of interested parties in the area. (SD1)

 

 

 

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