STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1194

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 975

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 975, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the requirements for participation under the Cover Crop Reimbursement Pilot Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Smokers Alliance. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Procurement Office.

Your Committee finds that the Cover Crop Reimbursement Pilot Program was established by Act 312, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, to provide an up to seventy-five percent cost reimbursement for farming operations to feasibly acquire cover crop seeds, green manure, or compost. Your Committee recognizes that the use of cover crops, green manure, and compost increases agricultural productivity and is beneficial for sustainably building soil structure and soil nutrient capacity over the long-term, but can often be costly and expensive to completely implement. This housekeeping measure addresses potential deficiencies of the Cover Crop Reimbursement Pilot Program by clarifying requirements for the submission of applications and disbursal of grants for participants to strengthen this program and enhance the sustainability of agricultural lands in the State.

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 H.B. No. 975, H.D. 2, 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