STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1607

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 971

H.D. 2

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. 971, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate moneys into and out of an agricultural emergency loan revolving fund, to be administered by the Department of Agriculture, to fund Class "D" loans.

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

Your Committee recognizes that ranches and farms within the State have suffered from the impacts of various natural and economic disasters. Your Committee finds that a dedicated source of emergency funding, as proposed by this measure, will strengthen the Department of Agriculture's ability to offer financial assistance to these agricultural operations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, 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. 971, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 971, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair