STAND. COM. REP. NO. 147-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1992

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1992 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Permit composting and co-composting operations in agricultural districts; and

(2) Appropriate funds for an environmental specialist IV position for the Department of Health Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaii, Conservation Council for Hawaii, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Life of the Land, Circlepack, North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership, Recycle Hawaii, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Budget and Finance, and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that composting and co-composting in agricultural areas support sustainable and regenerative agriculture in the State. Composting in agricultural districts yields benefits for Hawaii's farmers, the agriculture industry, and the environment by improving soil health, increasing drought resistance, reducing the need for supplemental water and fertilizers, and increasing crop yields. Your Committee recognizes that the development and administration of a streamlined permit application process for certain small-scale composting and co-composting operations requires additional personnel support from the Department of Health Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1992, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1992, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair