STAND. COM. REP. NO. 169

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1457

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. 1457 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST KOHALA MOUNTAIN FISH COMPANY, LLC,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Kohala Mountain Fish Company, LLC, for the establishment of The Village project.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that establishing a flourishing and self-reliant localized agriculture sector in Hawaii is in the interest of the public and the State. Your Committee acknowledges that the Kohala Mountain Fish Company, LLC, has an agricultural initiative called The Village, which is envisioned as a diversified agricultural park and processing facility on Hawaii island that produces, packages, cooks, and freezes products year round for both local consumption and value added export. Furthermore, The Village project will provide local farmers with resources for hands-on education and training, processing and packaging, distribution, and workforce housing. This measure authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Kohala Mountain Fish Company, LLC, in realizing its project vision and establishing The Village, which will ultimately benefit and support Hawaii's burgeoning agriculture sector.

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. 1457 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair