STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2411

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2414

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2414 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:

(1) Establish the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group to develop an interagency food systems plan and submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2025;

(2) Establish an unspecified number of full-time equivalent sustainability specialist positions within the Department of Agriculture; and

(3) Appropriate an unspecified amount of funds for these positions and for the establishment and operation of the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii System, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action, Local Food Coalition, Food+ Policy, Beyond Organic Consulting Inc., and thirty-six individuals.

Your Committee finds that food security is a critical issue in the State. Your Committee notes that the State imports eight-five percent of its food, making it vulnerable to natural and human disasters. Your Committee believes that the State should be proactive in making its local food production more resilient and further finds that the development of a sustainable food system for the State would enhance the environmental, economic, and social health of all communities in the State. According to multiple testimonies received by your Committee, a coordinated food systems plan lead by key stakeholders across the State's food systems is critical to developing a sustainable and equitable food economy.

Your Committee notes that this measure contains an unspecified appropriation amount for the establishment of an unspecified number of sustainability specialist positions within the Department of Agriculture and for the establishment and operation of the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group. Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it considers inserting an appropriation amount of $75,000.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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. 2414, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2414, 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,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair