HI HB850

Appropriates $350,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2015-2016 to fund four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) positions in the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources cooperative extension service.

Requires one extension position to be assigned to each of Hawaii's four counties to strengthen agricultural education and community services statewide.

Addresses a 43% decline in extension agents over the past twenty years and a 27% decrease since 2008 that has resulted in reduced community services.

Extension service positions provide science-based agricultural education, workshops, and consultations on agriculture, natural resources, 4-H youth programs, nutrition, and family living throughout the state.

Effective July 1, 2015.