HI SCR53

Department of Agriculture requested to establish an advisory commission to address issues in Hawaii's agriculture, aquaculture, and food systems industries aligned with the Hawaii Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

Advisory commission to meet quarterly and address competition for resources, labor issues, drought and climate change, invasive species, new regulations, water access and development, and waste management.

Commission requested to examine and rank 10 priority actions including expanding "Farm to State" procurement programs, promoting farm-to-table initiatives, developing food hubs and cooperatives on all islands, and increasing agricultural-related facilities such as processing plants and storage.

Chairperson of Board of Agriculture to serve as commission chair and invite representatives from 11 agricultural segments including aquaculture, field crops, vegetables, fruits, livestock, nursery and floriculture, herbs, eggs, coffee, and seed corn.

Commission to make recommendations on regulatory changes to increase local agricultural purchasing and supply chain coordination, review Department of Agriculture statistics tracking, and evaluate federal initiatives affecting local producers; findings to be submitted to the Board of Agriculture.