STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2762

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2447

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2447 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to add the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to the Board of Agriculture.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and two individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committees find that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is the principle agency of the State responsible for the performance, development, and coordination of programs and activities for the betterment of conditions of Native Hawaiians. Your Committees recognize that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs not only manages a substantial and every-increasing portfolio of agriculturally-zoned legacy lands, but also has dedicated a significant amount of funds to support Native Hawaiian farmers over the last decade. This measure recognizes the role of Native Hawaiian farmers and the value that customary Native Hawaiian agriculture and aquaculture practice bring to the State as it works to reach its food security and sustainability goals by ensuring that Native Hawaiian interests are represented on the Board of Agriculture.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2447 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair