STAND. COM. REP. NO. 979

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 375

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 375, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor, to develop and submit to the Legislature a strategic plan to double local food production and increase food exports by 2030.

The measure also appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2019-2020 for this purpose.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor; Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaii; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; 350 Hawaii; We Are One, Inc.; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure will establish relevant benchmarks and metrics to move the State closer toward achieving its food production and export goals, including the goal of doubling local food production and increasing food exports by 2030. Your Committee also finds that an appropriation of $500,000 for fiscal year 2019-2020 is necessary to achieve the intent of this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 375, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 375, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair