HI SR41

Department of Agriculture requested to establish an advisory commission to address agriculture, aquaculture, and food systems issues and guide state progress toward self-sufficiency and food security goals.

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

Commission requested to examine and rank 10 priority actions from the Hawaii State Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, including expanding "Farm to State" procurement, promoting farm-to-table initiatives, establishing food hubs, and increasing agricultural processing facilities.

Commission to make recommendations on changes to state and local regulations, review Department of Agriculture statistics tracking, evaluate federal initiatives, and review distribution channel regulations including farmers markets and food trucks.

Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture to serve as commission chair and invite representatives from 11 agricultural segments: aquaculture, field crops/taro, vegetables, fruits, fruit and nut trees, livestock, nursery/floriculture, herbs, eggs, coffee, and seed corn.