STAND. COM. REP. NO. 176-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2618

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. 2618 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study to identify potential sites in the State for an aquaculture park that promotes commercial aquaculture expansion.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Agriculture Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that dedicated aquaculture parks would be a desirable tool in the State's strategy to grow the aquaculture industry, as successful tenants would help define industry potential and become aspirational examples to potential new operators. By requiring a feasibility study to be conducted to identify appropriate sites in the State for an aquaculture park, this measure would be an important step in furthering the aquaculture industry in the State and ensuring food security and food self-sufficiency.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

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

(3) 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. 2618, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2618, 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