Policy and Legislation Committee
HIAP committee to facilitate dialogue on proposed legislative changes and policy reform affecting Hawai'i Island's agriculture and food system.
Policy and Legislation Committee
Purpose and Approach
The Policy and Legislation Committee offers a structured way for anyone—farmers, ranchers, processors, legislators, non-profits, or concerned citizens—to identify and explore potential changes in legislation, policy, and regulations affecting Hawaiʻi Island agriculture. Its aim is to ensure that real-world perspectives are heard, respected, and integrated into any policy discussions, whether local or statewide.
Process for Identifying and Analyzing Issues
Committee members will maintain an open call for input on pressing policy concerns. Anyone in the agricultural community can submit a brief description of an issue—perhaps tied to new food safety rules, zoning permits for on-farm processing, or resource management guidelines. Once a matter is submitted:
Triage and Scheduling: The Committee leadership adds the issue to a running priority list. When enough stakeholders share interest, it’s scheduled for an upcoming roundtable meeting or workshop.
Review and Analysis: Relevant data and background materials—farmed out to the Data and Analysis Committee if needed—are compiled to ensure that meeting attendees have a clear understanding of the matter.
Open Dialogue: During the meeting or workshop, participants debate feasibility, costs, potential unintended consequences, and alignment with the island’s broader agricultural strategies.
Recommendations: Conclusions from these sessions are summarized into an advisory document—offered as voluntary guidance for stakeholders or government offices. While the Committee itself remains neutral, its outputs serve to illuminate sensible next steps.
Collaboration and Neutral Facilitation
To remain constructive and fair, the Committee will use neutral facilitation methods such as caucusing and consensus-building. By inviting producers, agencies, and other interested parties to build shared understanding, the Committee can highlight common ground or note major differences that may need more time to resolve. Crucially, the Committee will not advocate for specific legislative changes as a collective entity; rather, it provides the arena where all voices and proposals can be discussed transparently.
Benefits to the Community
In ensuring that policy challenges are tackled with open dialogue and collective analysis, the Policy and Legislation Committee helps reduce misunderstandings, promotes equitable solutions, and encourages better-aligned rulemaking. Over time, this process can lead to regulations and policies that truly reflect the aspirations and constraints of the island’s farming community, thus strengthening the resilience and productivity of Hawaiʻi Island agriculture.