STAND. COM. REP. NO.  513-24

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2024

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1815

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1815 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to include agritourism in the definition of "enterprise" to authorize the Agribusiness Development Corporation to financially support businesses engaged in agritourism.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from four individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that environmental, technological, and other global changes have opened doors to new opportunities for agricultural growth and development in the State.  With the State's goal of achieving increased food self-sufficiency, it is essential that the Agribusiness Development Corporation continue to support more agricultural businesses, including those engaged in agritourism to support the viability of their business models, thereby enabling them to also continue producing food and other agricultural products.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

 

     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 H.B. No. 1815, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1815, 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