STAND. COM. REP. NO. 516

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 974

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. 974 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Program Specialist position within the Department of Agriculture to perform a variety of roles relating to identifying, obtaining, and administering grants.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that there are many federal funding opportunities that offer support for agricultural purposes. These opportunities remain untapped or overlooked because of a lack of expertise in grant writing and grant administration in the Department of Agriculture. Your Committee further finds that many small farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators similarly lack expertise or time to identify and apply for grants. This measure is intended to bolster the State's efforts toward food security and sustainability by establishing a Program Specialist to pursue and maximize federal funds to support agricultural efforts in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

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. 974, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 974, 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