Bill > SB3162

This bill establishes the Hawaii Strategic Food Reserves Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) to address the state's significant reliance on imported food and improve food security. The program will create food reserves on each island, with specific purchasing requirements for locally grown crops, prioritizing those with cultural significance, nutritional value, and storage capability, known as "priority crops." A Strategic Food Reserves Advisory Committee will be formed to advise DAB on the program's implementation, and this committee, along with DAB, will submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing the reserves' status, progress, and challenges. Additionally, the bill creates an Agricultural Market Development Grant Program to support local food production for these reserves and establishes a dedicated Hawaii Strategic Food Reserves Program Special Fund to finance these initiatives, including acquiring food supplies, maintaining storage facilities, and providing grants to local producers. The bill also outlines a phased timeline for DAB to implement the program, aiming for significant reserve capacity and local sourcing by 2031, and appropriates funds for its establishment.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=3162&year=2026