STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1871

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 974

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. 974, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate moneys for a full-time program specialist position within the Department of Agriculture that, among other duties, shall assist farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators in applying for and obtaining agricultural grants.

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

Your Committee recognizes that local farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural operators face significant competition when applying for agricultural grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture and other sources. Accordingly, your Committee finds that the establishment of a new grant specialist position will provide needed assistance to these applicants when competing for grants.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical nonsubstantive amendment 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. 974, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 974, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair