STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2583

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3004

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. 3004 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMPOSTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds for a compost reimbursement program within the Department of Agriculture and for one full-time permanent compost reimbursement program manager position; and

(2) Require an annual progress report to the Legislature prior to each Regular Session.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Life of the Land, Growing Together Edible Landscaping, Restore the Commons, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, ‘Ai Pohaku, and twelve individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that food waste has far-reaching environmental, financial, and social impacts on society. One way to reduce the large amounts of food waste produced in the State is to recycle it into compost. Composting can reduce and eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers, reduce methane emissions from landfills, promote higher yields for crops, aid habitat revitalization, enhance water retention, and sequester carbon. Consequently, this measure supports the State's composting efforts by establishing and funding a compost reimbursement 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. 3004 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