STAND. COM. REP. NO. 249

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 836

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 S.B. No. 836 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire property through condemnation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Pacific Agricultural Land Management Systems.

Your Committee finds that the Agribusiness Development Corporation was established to help transition Hawaii's agricultural sector from its plantation-based roots to one characterized by smaller-diversified agricultural operations. Over the past decade, the Agribusiness Development Corporation has made significant progress in its mission but continues to face major logistical challenges such as funding and land and infrastructure development issues. Your Committee further finds that the Agribusiness Development Corporation heavily relies on land availability in the State to fulfil its mandate. Thus, this measure authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire property by condemnation to significantly increase the available agricultural lands under the State's control, which will allow the Agribusiness Development Corporation to provide more farmers with long-term leases thereby enhancing the economic viability of Hawaii's agricultural industry.

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 S.B. No. 836 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair