STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1409

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 782

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 782, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TARO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish in the Department of Agriculture a grant program to assist taro farmers in meeting the costs of cultivating taro for consumption.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Hawaii Food+ Policy, and twelve individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee recognizes taro's importance in Hawaii's cultural identity and role in local food security and finds that this measure would assist taro farmers in their efforts to increase their production and viability.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 782, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 782, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair