STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2785

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2413

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2413, S.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 obtain better data regarding state agricultural lands.

Specifically, this measure requires the Board of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature on:

(1) The percentage of each tax map key of agricultural lands leased by the State that are suitable for farming and actively being farmed; and

(2) Certain dollar amounts relating to lease transfers between lessees.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and Food+ Policy.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that it is vital that the State identify and effectively utilize its most productive agricultural lands. The data collected pursuant to this measure will help to ensure that productive agricultural lands remain in agricultural use.

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 S.B. No. 2413, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2413, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair