HI SB257

Establishes a temporary food security task force at the University of Hawaii's national disaster preparedness training center to develop an emergency food plan addressing food security during emergencies, catastrophic events, or quarantines.

Task force shall be chaired by the executive director of the national disaster preparedness training center and include representatives from state agencies (civil defense, board of land and natural resources, agribusiness development corporation, college of tropical agriculture and human resources, and board of agriculture).

Task force shall identify cultivable lands, irrigation needs, optimal crops, current agriculture operations, and feasibility of creating public orchards with five thousand fruit trees in state and city parks within five years.

Task force shall develop plans for food distribution, emergency seed packets for home gardens, commercial fishing coordination, vulnerable population support, emergency food drop programs, and farm security.

Task force shall submit interim report by twenty days before 2018 legislative session and final report by twenty days before 2019 legislative session, then cease to exist on June 30, 2019; appropriation provided for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019.