LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 Hawaii Farm Bureau members represent the agricultural industry on State and County boards and commissions:

  • Coordinating Group Alien Pest Species
  • Advisory Committee on Pesticides
  • Board of Agriculture
  • State Water Commission
  • Endangered Species Committee
  • County Water Boards
  • Soil and Water Conservation District Boards
  • Agribusiness Development Corporation

Our legislative efforts at the State legislature have brought about:

  • Construction of a slaughterhouse on Oahu and Molokai;
  • Reduction of the excise tax paid by farmers on fertilizers and plant nutrients and polypropylene shade cloth from four to five percent;
  • The Right to Farm Act which assures that a farmer need not move his/her farm when urban development occurs nearby;
  • Various commodity groups are able to secure product promotion monies from the State and Counties to improve their competitiveness in the market;
  • Appropriations each year for research and development, new or improved cooling facilities and other irrigation projects to benefit Hawaii's farmers;
  • Formation of the Agribusiness Development Corporation;
  • Funds for registration of pesticides and for pesticide training classes;
  • Strengthened the agriculture theft law to make it easier for farmers to prosecute theft as a felony.

2008 Legislation

Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation's Proposals
The following is the status of HFBF's 2008 Legislative Proposals.

HB 2357/SB 2646-Provides incentives and protections to establish and sustain viable agricultural operations on important agricultural lands.

HB 2260/SB 2642-Appropriates funds for the Hawaii association of conservation districts to assist with its staffing and operating costs.

HB 3310/SB 3208-Appropriating funds for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to conduct agricultural research and development.

HB 2594/SB 2643-Authorizes general obligation bond funds to be deposited into the irrigation repair and maintenance special fund for repair and maintenance of certain irrigation systems, and for additional personnel to improve irrigation system management.

HB 2748/SB 2520-Appropriates funds for the operation and maintenance of the East Kauai Irrigation System.

HB 2593/SB 2645-Appropriates funds for drought mitigation projects in each county of the state.

HB 2822/SB 3156-Provides a tax credit equal to 50% of the costs for construction of a new drought mitigation water storage facility, or repair or reconstruction of an existing water storage facility.

HB 2823/SB 3158-Establishes limitations on liability for damages for owners of dams and reservoirs.

HB 2809-Establishes a program for state matching funds for expenses incurred by the counties in supporting agriculture.

HB 2516/SB 2648-Appropriates funds for the planning of inspection facilities by the department of agriculture as part of its biosecurity program.

HB 2810/SB 3153-Establishes a process for just and reasonable water rates for farming operations with PUC oversight, but excludes the water supplier from the definition of a "public utility."

HB 2940/SB 3154-Directs the Public Utilities Commission to require public utilities that furnish agricultural water in an area zoned for agricultural use to establish a water rate structure for agricultural water users.

HB 2261/SB 2467-Establishes a loan program to provide financial assistance to farm producers involved in sustainable energy production.

HB 2450/SB 2470-Establishes agricultural buffer zones.

HB 2807/SB 2637-Provides incentives to landowners who designate their land as important agricultural lands.

HB 2820-Amends the state water code to support making sufficient water available for agricultural activity on important agricultural lands.

HB 2821-Establishes tax credit for agricultural businesses on important agricultural lands.

The above is a brief description and may contain other action measures. If you have questions, please call Alan Takemoto at 848-2074.

 

© 2006 Hawaii Farm Bureau