Hawaii House Bill HB976

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/30/23
• Report Pass: 2/16/23
• Refer: 2/16/23

Caption

Relating To Hemp Special Fund.

Impact

The amendment allows the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to utilize an existing special fund specifically for its new regulatory duties concerning hemp, which is expected to streamline operations within the department. The financial framework includes an appropriation of $50,000 for the fiscal year 2023-2024 from this special fund to support its operations under the hemp regulations. This financial backing is critical for ensuring that the department can effectively carry out its responsibilities without additional strain on the state's budget.

Summary

House Bill 976 aims to amend section 141-14 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to reorganize and rename the existing industrial hemp special fund as the hemp special fund. This restructuring is designed to ensure that the Department of Agriculture can effectively address its responsibilities related to industrial hemp, which were established by previous legislative actions, specifically Act 14 and Act 137. These acts created a registry for hemp processors and outlined the Department of Health's role in fee collection for the program, while the Department of Agriculture is tasked with monitoring hemp transportation and enforcing growth restrictions.

Contention

Potential points of contention may arise regarding the management and allocation of funds, as well as the broader implications of hemp regulation in the state. Stakeholders may express differing views on the adequacy of the appropriated budget in meeting the demands of hemp regulation oversight. Furthermore, as the cannabis industry continues to evolve, there may be debates concerning the regulatory framework that controls hemp and its associated economic activities, notably concerning health and environmental impacts.