STAND. COM. REP. NO.  671-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 1997

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1997 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to promote the expansion and development of the State's agricultural industry by:

     (1)  Establishing the K-12 Agriculture Workforce Development Pipeline Initiative Program (Program) in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to conduct training sessions in agricultural self-sufficiency for teachers and school administrators on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kauai; and

     (2)  Making an appropriation for the Program.

The University of Hawaii System, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, and Hawaii Farm Bureau provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and Department of Education 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. 1997 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair