STAND. COM. REP. NO. 520-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2617

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. 2617 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Aquaculture Advisory Committee to provide expert and credible guidance to support and strengthen aquaculture throughout the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that as the State moves toward its self-sufficiency and food security goals, Hawaii's aquaculture industry will need to continue to grow. Establishing an Aquaculture Advisory Committee could be very beneficial in supporting the continued expansion of the aquaculture industry and moving Hawaii's economy and food production toward self-sufficiency.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have allowed the terms of committee members to be extended on a case-by-base basis by a majority vote of members;

(2) Clarifying that committee members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessary for the performance of their duties;

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

(4) 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. 2617, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2617, 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