| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that sustainable agriculture, food security, and energy security are critical priorities for the State. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic highlighted the need to diversify Hawaii's economy and focus on local food and energy production. The legislature also recognizes the global need to reduce petroleum dependence and greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions produced by diesel engines. The legislature also finds that biodiesel, made from plant‑based oils and animal fats, offers a safe and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fuels. Many crops can be used for biodiesel production, including pongamia trees, sunflowers, and safflower. Byproducts from biodiesel production can be used as livestock feed and in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. One biodiesel refinery is expected to create more than $25,000,000 in revenue, $1,000,000 in general excise tax revenue, and hundreds of jobs for the State's residents. The biodiesel industry's growth will also provide additional opportunities for agricultural research, further diversifying the State's economy and helping to grow the agricultural sector. The legislature recognizes that the growth of crops for biodiesel fuels will benefit the State by creating jobs, reducing food and fuel imports, diversifying Hawaii's economy, and helping to reaching the State's mandate of one hundred per cent renewable energy by 2045. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a two-year pilot project to grow crops for the production of biodiesel fuels in the State. SECTION 2. (a) The department of agriculture shall establish a two-year pilot project to grow crops for the production of biodiesel fuels in the State. (b) The crops grown shall include: (1) Pongamia trees; (2) Sunflowers; (3) Safflower; or (4) Any other crops the department of agriculture deems useful for biodiesel production. (c) The department of agriculture shall assess the pilot project's effectiveness and, if the department recommends extending the project, shall identify additional sources of funding, including any available federal funding and private investments. (d) The department of agriculture shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation and proposed funding sources, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to establish and implement a two-year biodiesel crop pilot project in the State. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act; provided that the moneys appropriated by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the 2022-2023 fiscal year; provided further that any moneys that remain unencumbered on June 30, 2024, shall lapse on that date. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that sustainable agriculture, food security, and energy security are critical priorities for the State. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic highlighted the need to diversify Hawaii's economy and focus on local food and energy production. The legislature also recognizes the global need to reduce petroleum dependence and greenhouse gas emissions, including the emissions produced by diesel engines. The legislature also finds that biodiesel, made from plant‑based oils and animal fats, offers a safe and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fuels. Many crops can be used for biodiesel production, including pongamia trees, sunflowers, and safflower. Byproducts from biodiesel production can be used as livestock feed and in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. One biodiesel refinery is expected to create more than $25,000,000 in revenue, $1,000,000 in general excise tax revenue, and hundreds of jobs for the State's residents. The industry's growth will also provide additional opportunities for agricultural research, further diversifying the State's economy and helping to grow the agricultural sector. The legislature recognizes that the growth of crops for biodiesel fuels will benefit the State by creating jobs, reducing food and fuel imports, diversifying Hawaii's economy, and helping to reaching the State's mandate of one hundred per cent renewable energy by 2045. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and provide moneys for a two-year pilot project to grow biodiesel crops on the island of Molokai. SECTION 2. (a) The department of agriculture shall establish a two-year pilot project on the island of Molokai to grow crops for the production of biodiesel fuels. (b) Crops grown shall include: (1) Pongamia trees; (2) Sunflowers; (3) Safflower; and/or (4) Any other crops the department of agriculture deems useful for biodiesel production. (c) No later than December 31, 2023, the department of agriculture shall assess the pilot project's effectiveness and, if the department recommends extending the project, shall identify additional sources of funding, including any available federal funding and private investments. (d) The department of agriculture shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation and proposed funding sources, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to establish and implement a two-year biodiesel crop pilot project on the island of Molokai. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act; provided that the moneys appropriated by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the 2022-2023 fiscal year; provided further that any moneys that remain unencumbered on June 30, 2024, shall lapse on that date. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022. |
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