HI HB2041

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2018-2019 to establish an aquaculture incubator at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority to support entrepreneurs and investors developing Hawaii's aquaculture industry.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture to support planning and participation of Hawaii's aquaculture industry in the Aquaculture America 2020 conference to be held in Honolulu in February 2020.

Finds that Hawaii has competitive advantages in aquaculture including abundant natural resources, existing infrastructure at the Hawaii ocean science and technology park (with over $120,000,000 in state investment since 1974), and geographic isolation for biosecurity.

Recognizes the Hawaii Aquaculture 2020 initiative as a statewide collaborative effort to grow Hawaii's aquaculture industry by building scale in industry inputs like feed sources and processing capacity and addressing permitting issues.

Takes effect on July 1, 2112.