STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2304

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2989

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. 2989 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and fund a healthy soils grant program and special fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Farmers Union United; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Adaptations, Inc.; Center for Getting Things Started; and twenty-four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the productivity of the State's agricultural industry depends on access to healthy soils. This measure supports the development of healthy soils through the establishment of a grant program and special fund.

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. 2989 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,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair