STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2717

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2736

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2736 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an appropriation to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources for ornamental and landscaping entomologist specialist, plant pathologist extension agent, and pesticide specialist positions.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Department of Agriculture, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Performance Landscapes, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, East Oahu County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Dole Food Co. Hawaii, Maui County Farm Bureau, and fifteen private individuals.

Your Committees find that the ornamental and landscape industry represents approximately two-thirds of the Hawaii farm gate value. Biosecurity is an important challenge facing this important sector of the agriculture industry overall in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2736 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair