Hawaii Senate Bill SB2363

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/24
• Refer: 1/22/24
• Report Pass: 2/15/24
• Refer: 2/15/24

Caption

Relating To Agriculture.

Impact

The bill mandates the Department of Agriculture to undertake several actions, including the assessment of prosecuting agricultural crimes and the hiring of dedicated law enforcement officers in the involved counties. By critically examining current prosecution efficacy and fostering coordinated efforts amongst local enforcement, the pilot project is expected to lead to enhanced reporting, better practices in preventively addressing agricultural crimes, and ultimately a reduction in these negative impacts on Hawaii's agricultural producers.

Summary

Senate Bill 2363 establishes a two-year agricultural crime pilot project aimed at addressing the persistent issues of agricultural theft and vandalism affecting farmers and ranchers in Hawaii. This initiative was prompted by significant statistics indicating nearly 19,000 incidents of agricultural crimes reported in 2019, which resulted in substantial financial losses to the state's agricultural sector. The projects aim to replicate previous efforts in Hawaii and Maui by extending similar measures to the city and county of Honolulu, as well as Kauai, where these crimes have been particularly rampant.

Contention

There are some potential points of contention related to the implementation and funding of this pilot project. The bill includes an appropriation of $200,000 from the state general revenues for the fiscal year 2024-2025, which raises questions about budget allocations and prioritization amidst other pressing needs. Additionally, while supporters argue that the project will assist in creating a safer environment for farmers, critics could highlight the necessity of thorough evaluations of past initiatives before committing resources to similar efforts. Addressing these issues will be essential to navigating the legislative process and achieving effective outcomes.