STAND. COM. REP. NO. 727

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 655

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 655, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEMP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to give authority to the Department of Agriculture to align state hemp production administrative rules with federal law, with regard to exemptions for fiber, fuel, and seed grain hemp crops.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Hemp Farmers Association, Hawaiian Choice, Agripelago, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hawai‘i Sustainable Farms.

Your Committee finds that hemp continues to provide an opportunity for farmers to diversify and expand agriculture production into new areas. Despite this, overregulation slows the growth of the hemp industry, which otherwise could foster sustainable resources and food security in the State. This measure will support and grow Hawai‘i's hemp industry by giving the Department of Agriculture the authority to align certain state hemp production administrative rules with federal law.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 655, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair