STAND. COM. REP. NO.  551

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 311

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 311 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO KALO FARMING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a general excise tax exemption on the gross proceeds arising from the sale of machinery, fuel, chemicals, seed or huli, animals, and feed to a qualified farmer and directly related to the qualified farmer's kalo farming operations.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Kohana Family Farms, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Food+ Policy, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, and eleven individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that kalo farming is a practice that has been integral to the Hawaiian islands for centuries and has provided an abundance of food and ecological health.  Kalo is a food that is adapted to Hawaii's environment and can grow well in the State.  This measure reduces the cost of production of kalo and supports indigenous food culture, farming, and local food security by supporting kalo farming and farmers.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment 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. 311, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 311, 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