STAND. COM. REP. NO. 168-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2001

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. 2001 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RESTORATIVE AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture's Aquaculture Development Program to conduct a feasibility study to identify potential sites in the State for restorative aquaculture activities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Agriculture; Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Kauai Sea Farm.

Your Committee finds that as there is a pressing need to provide food for people within ecological limits, restorative aquaculture can help to restore ocean health, while also supporting economic development and food production in the local economy. Your Committee further finds, however, that the impacts of restorative aquaculture on the State are still unknown. This measure would require a feasibility study on restorative aquaculture to assess the potential benefits, risks, and impacts of restorative aquaculture activities in the State and provide valuable information for decision-makers and stakeholders to make informed choices about whether to proceed with a restorative aquaculture initiative and how best to design and implement it.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Including indigenous nearshore fish species in the study for restorative aquaculture activities;

(2) Requiring the study to consider engagement with rural and native Hawaiian communities and nonprofits already piloting restorative aquaculture with native fish and seaweed species;

(3) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) 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 H.B. No. 2001, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2001, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

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

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair