HB 1312 Summary

• Establishes that ensuring commercialization of agricultural commodity research intellectual property at the University of Hawaii is a matter of statewide concern.

• Requires the University of Hawaii to include a condition in faculty employment contracts at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources that allows faculty to retain intellectual property ownership, mandating good faith efforts to license or sell intellectual property to in-state farmers or agricultural producers before offering it to out-of-state entities.

• Defines "intellectual property" as production or discovery of new species of, or uses for, agricultural crops, flowers, or other plant types, excluding ordinary classroom teaching materials.

• Amends section 304A-103 to clarify that University of Hawaii contracting powers are subject to the new intellectual property licensing requirements.

• Takes effect on July 1, 2060.