STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2124

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 375

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 375, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture (DOA), in cooperation with the Office of the Governor, to develop a strategic plan that identifies benchmarks for increased food production in Hawaii and increased exports of food crops and value-added agricultural products from Hawaii;

(2) Require DOA to submit the strategic plan to the Legislature prior to the 2020 Regular Session; and

(3) Appropriate funds to develop the strategic plan to achieve the Governor's goals of doubling food production and increasing food exports by 2030.

The University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, A‘a Li‘i Farm, Lokoea Farms, Maui Farmers Union United, 350Hawaii.org, Pele Lani Farm LLC, Elemental Excelerator, Hawaii Farmers Union, and several individuals testified in support of this measure. DOA provided comments on this measure.

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 S.B. No. 375, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair