STAND. COM. REP. NO. 637

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1268

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1268, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to contract with an independent consultant for the development of a statewide strategic five-year plan for aquaculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Aquaculture Planning and Advocacy, Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, EcoponicX, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that since 2021, Hawaii Sea Grant has been facilitating a Hawaii Aquaculture Collaborative, an industry-led partnership whose aim is to facilitate collaborations between aquaculture industry leaders and aquaculture-relevant state, public, and nonprofit agencies to strengthen and grow aquaculture in the State. The Collaborative has identified the development of a five-year statewide strategic plan for the industry as one of several priority areas to strengthen and grow aquaculture in the State. This measure intends to support aquaculture in the State to increase the State's economic resilience and food security through the development of a statewide strategic five-year plan for aquaculture.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1268, 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 Water & Land,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair