STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1434

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 496

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred S.B. No. 496, 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 require the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor, to build upon its strategic planning efforts under Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, to identify the top ten fruit and vegetable imports to the State that may be commercially grown by farmers in Hawaii and recommend ways to increase their production.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Climate Protectors Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and Kauai Climate Action Coalition. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that approximately eighty-five to ninety percent of Hawaii's food supply is imported, which makes the State vulnerable to natural disasters and global events that disrupt shipping and other modes of transporting food. This measure would improve the State's economy, food security, and ability to reach its local food production goals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 496, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development,

____________________________

SEAN QUINLAN, Chair