STAND. COM. REP. NO.  751-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2093

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2093, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support agricultural education in the State by establishing a Center for Agricultural Leadership within the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and requiring the University of Hawaii to establish a two-year pilot project at one high school in each county to determine the steps necessary for a school farm to be food safety certified by the state Department of Agriculture.  This measure also appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to implement its intent.

The Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and two concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation opposed this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and several concerned individuals provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2093, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair