STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1903-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.C.R. No. 129

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 129, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP AN INTERAGENCY FOOD SYSTEMS PLAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request:

(1)  The Department of Agriculture establish a Sustainable Food Systems Working Group to develop an Interagency

Food Systems Plan;

(2)  The Working Group submit the Plan and its

recommendations for the implementation of the Plan to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2025;

     (3)  The Department provide any necessary administrative and staff support to the Working Group; and

     (4)  The Working Group be dissolved on June 30, 2025.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Local Food Coalition; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and one individual. 

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that food imports encompass eighty-five percent of available food in the State, which leaves communities vulnerable to disasters that may alter or disturb the current food system.  Your Committee further finds that the development of a sustainable food system would not only make its local food production more resilient, but also support “green” job creation, sustainable economic development, land stewardship, and climate change resiliency.  This measure temporarily establishes a Sustainable Food Systems Working Group to help establish a more sustainable food system for the State.

Your Committee notes testimony received by the Department of Agriculture stating that the Department lacks the capacity to meet unfunded mandates and that creating a working group without the participation of agricultural operators or organizations could be less effective than desired.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 129, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair