STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1510

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1426

H.D. 1

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 Ways and Means, 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 and intent of this measure is to promote the development of value-added products in the State.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes a food and product innovation network within the Agribusiness Development Corporation; and

(2) Appropriates moneys for food and product innovation facilities on the islands of Molokai, Oahu, and Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaii Food Industry Association; The Hawaii Forest Industry Association; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Farm Bureau; and The Food Basket, Hawai`i Island's Food Bank.

Your Committee finds that adding value to raw agricultural crops can increase farm revenues and profits, create new business and employment opportunities, and help to achieve the State's self-sufficiency and sustainability goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical nonsubstantive amendment for purposes of consistency and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1426, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1426, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair