SB 1158: RELATING TO CONTROLLED-ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CONTROLLED-ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is a need for a comprehensive approach to controlled‑environment agriculture, which can be accomplished through the construction of a state‑of‑the‑art controlled‑environment agriculture research and demonstration facility.  This type of facility can be established at a commercial scale with research and teaching capabilities at the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resilience's (CTAHR) Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu.  Upon completion, the facility and associated activities can serve as a platform for research, extension, education, and demonstration activities at commercial scale to develop the next generation of researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at CTAHR's Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resilience's Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu.

     SECTION 3.  The sum appropriated in section 2 of this Act shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 31, 2050.

Report Title:

UH; CTAHR; Controlled-environment Agriculture; Research and Demonstration Facility GO Bonds; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the development of a controlled‑environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu.  Effective 7/31/2050.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to CONTROLLED-ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is a need for a comprehensive approach to controlled‑environment agriculture, which can be accomplished through the construction of a state‑of‑the‑art controlled‑environment agriculture research and demonstration facility.  This type of facility can be established at a commercial scale with research and teaching capabilities at the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resources' Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu.  Upon completion, the facility and associated activities can serve as a platform for research, extension, education, and demonstration activities at commercial scale to develop the next generation of researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resources' Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Controlled-environment Agriculture; General Obligation Bonds; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the development of a controlled‑environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 309

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1158

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1158 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONTROLLED-ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's (CTAHR) Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, MetroGrow Hawaii, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, and nine individuals.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and one individual.

     Your Committees find that there is a need for a comprehensive approach to controlled-environment agriculture, which can be accomplished through the construction of a state-of-the-art controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility.  Your Committees note that controlled-environment agriculture includes hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and vertical farming, which could offer efficient, sustainable, and climate-resilient solutions for food production in the State.  Your Committees further find that the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa represents an ideal location for this facility to be established at commercial scale with research and teaching capabilities.  Upon completion, the facility and associated activities will serve as a platform for research, extension, education, and demonstration activities to develop the next generation of researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners.  This measure authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility to secure the future of agriculture in the State.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the name of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to reflect their name change;

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1158, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1158, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment,