STAND. COM. REP. NO. 587

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1270

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1270 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEMP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to convene a Hawaii Hemp Industry Task Force in the Department of Agriculture to gather data and information to aid in the understanding of hemp industry needs and recommend strategies and actions to the Legislature to support a vibrant hemp industry, agriculture, and rural economic development.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Maui Farmers Union United, Hauula Community Association, Hawai‘i Hemp Farmers Association, Aina Ho‘okupa O Kilauea, Hawai‘i Sustainable Farms, and nineteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that hemp continues to provide an opportunity for Hawaii farmers to diversify and expand agriculture production into new areas. However, amid changing federal and state regulations and other challenges of developing Hawaii's nascent hemp industry, your Committee further finds that a task force is needed to better recognize and fully understand the needs of the hemp industry.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Agriculture to provide any necessary administrative support, including preparation of the report to the Legislature, to the Hawaii Hemp Industry Task Force;

(2) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Agriculture recommended an appropriation of $85,000 for the personnel needed to carry out the administrative support for the Hawaii Hemp Industry Task Force.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1270, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1270, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair