Urging The Department Of Agriculture To Collaborate With The Agribusiness Development Corporation Regarding Grant Funding Opportunities With The United States Department Of Agriculture.
Summary
SR159 is a Senate resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to work with the Agribusiness Development Corporation to identify and pursue United States Department of Agriculture grant opportunities. The resolution frames this collaboration as a way to strengthen local agriculture by bringing in outside funding that could support farmers, ranchers, aquaculture groups, and related agricultural organizations.
The measure cites the Agribusiness Development Corporation’s role in acquiring land and infrastructure for multi-crop agriculture, the Department of Agriculture’s mission to support and protect the state’s agricultural industry, and broader state sustainability goals such as increasing local food production for local consumption by 2030. It also points to USDA grant programs as a potential source of aid for expanding agricultural capacity, improving performance, and supporting a more sustainable food system in Hawaii.
Impact
SR159 does not amend any statutes or create enforceable legal requirements; it is a nonbinding legislative resolution. Its practical effect is to encourage coordination between the Department of Agriculture and the Agribusiness Development Corporation in seeking federal grant funding from USDA programs, with the goal of supporting local agricultural entities, land and infrastructure development, and long-term agricultural sustainability in the state.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around the resolution appears strongly supportive. Both committee votes shown in the record passed 5-0, and the bill advanced with amendments in the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee and the Senate Economic Development and Technology Committee. The resolution aligns with widely shared policy goals around food security, local agriculture, and sustainability, which likely contributed to the unanimous support.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the available record, and no committee transcript excerpts are provided. The main policy emphasis is on collaboration and grant-seeking rather than regulation or spending, which may have limited opposition. Any potential concerns would likely center on how the agencies coordinate, whether federal grants are sufficient to address land, labor, and infrastructure needs, and how effectively the state can convert grant opportunities into tangible benefits for farmers and ranchers.
Same As
Urging The Department Of Agriculture To Collaborate With The Agribusiness Development Corporation Regarding Grant Funding Opportunities With The United States Department Of Agriculture.