STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2297

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2675

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2675 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a three-year cover crop reimbursement program to provide reimbursement to farming operations in the State for costs related to cover cropping;

(2) Establish a cover crop reimbursement pilot program manager position within the Department of Agriculture to administer the program;

(3) Require an annual report to the Legislature; and

(4) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; 350Hawaii.org; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the use of cover crops increases agricultural productivity and aligns with the State's integrated sustainability goals. Specifically, cover crops add nutrients to the soil, act as windbreaks, assist with water retention, provide habitats for beneficial insects, offset greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent soil erosion. This measure incentivizes the use of beneficial cover crops by establishing a three-year cover crop pilot program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2675 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair