HB 1883 Summary

• Establishes a two-year agricultural theft and vandalism pilot project in Hawaii County to examine effectiveness of prosecuting agricultural theft and vandalism cases, including those affecting small-scale farmers and gardeners.

• Requires the Department of Agriculture to partner with Hawaii County to hire two enforcement officers and assess prosecution effectiveness, identify best practices for prevention, and determine areas with most prevalent theft and vandalism.

• Appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2018-2019 to establish and implement the pilot project, including funding for 2.0 full-time equivalent enforcement officer positions.

• Appropriates funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to identify factors affecting local papaya quality and develop protocols to enhance marketability of Hawaiian papayas for export.

• Takes effect July 1, 2018, with Department of Agriculture to submit findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2020 regular session.