STAND. COM. REP. NO. 772-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2774

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2774, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a separate timeline and benchmarks for the Department of Education to increase the percentage of local agricultural products purchased by the Department.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; Hawaii Ulu Cooperative; Center for Getting Things Started; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy Internship 2024; and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Ulupono Initiative; and one individual.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2774, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair