HB 1426 Summary

• Establishes a food and product innovation network within the Agribusiness Development Corporation to support businesses in developing and scaling food and value-added products branded as "made in Hawaii," "produced in Hawaii," or "processed in Hawaii"

• Network includes four partner members: Department of Education food and product innovation center in Kekaha (Kauai), foreign-trade zone facility in Hilo (Hawaii), University of Hawaii Maui College food innovation center (Maui), and University of Hawaii Leeward Community College value-added product development center in Wahiawa (Oahu)

• Network shall provide resources including courses on product development, entrepreneurship, marketing, and business management; production facilities with equipment at various scales; commercial production with export certifications; and process optimization support

• Limits each county to no more than two facilities producing "made in Hawaii" products and requires annual legislative reports on network activities, agricultural industry growth, and food security progress

• Appropriates unspecified funds for food and product innovation facilities on Molokai (including axis deer products), Oahu, and Hawaii (Hilo and Kailua-Kona locations); effective June 30, 3000