STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1042

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 752

S.D. 1

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. 752 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for research on and prevention of pathogens affecting ornamental ginger growth and production in the State.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure will fund diagnostic testing and a statewide survey to identify the primary cause of the decline of ornamental ginger in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that these efforts offer a targeted and effective approach to addressing this agricultural, economic, and biosecurity issue.

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. 752, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 752, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair