STAND. COM. REP. NO. 86

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 420

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 Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 420 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the sustainable food systems working group within the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Food Bank; North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; Kaua‘i Climate Action Coalition; the Hawaii Environmental Change Agents Carbon Sequestration Task Force; Food Plus Policy Internship 2023; Our Revolution Hawaii; and forty-one individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that food security is lacking in the State and is especially vulnerable to the increasing prevalence of natural and human disasters. Your Committee further finds that a sustainable food systems working group with members across agriculture and related industries, may prove vital in the ongoing effort to enhance food security in Hawaii by collaborating with the Department of Agriculture to establish plans and propose policy changes for the State.

Your Committee acknowledges the testimony of the Department of the Attorney General, which notes possible constitutional issues with the wording used in this measure when specifying representatives from the Native Hawaiian Community. Your Committee finds that this issue raises concerns that merit further consideration and requests that your Committee on Ways and Means consider this testimony and incorporate any changes that may be necessary.

Therefore, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the two representatives of the University of Hawaii system selected by the Department of Agriculture to instead be selected by the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources;

(2) Changing the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau selector from "executive director" to "president";

(3) Specifying that the representatives of the Hawaii Farmers Union United is to be selected by the President of the Hawaii Farmers Union United;

(4) Adding another representative of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc. to be selected by the President of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 420, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 420, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair