STAND. COM. REP. NO. 673

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1426

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 Economic Development, to which was referred H.B. No. 1426, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a food and product innovation network with the Agribusiness Development Corporation; and

(2) Appropriate funds for food and product innovation facilities on the islands of Molokai, Oahu, and Hawaii as part of the food and product innovation network.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Food Industry Association.

Your Committee finds that the establishment of a statewide network of open-access food and value-added product development facilities is critical to meeting the State's agricultural and economic diversification goals. Your Committee further finds that this network will allow businesses in the State to capitalize globally on the "made in Hawaii", "produced in Hawaii", or "processed in Hawaii" brand; create world-class products; and scale up new products from research and development to manufacturing and commercialization using a diverse suite of manufacturing equipment and industry expertise.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1426, 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 Economic Development,

____________________________

DANIEL HOLT, Chair