STAND. COM. REP. NO.  589

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 610

      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. 610 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a farm workforce retention tax credit for farm employers or owners of farm employers.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that farms and ranches in the State face significant challenges and are vulnerable to any increase in costs due to the distance to markets, transportation costs, and access to labor.  Your Committee further finds that given the laborious nature of farming, many farmers are having difficulty retaining workers.  This measure would provide financial relief to qualified farmers and help retain workers, thereby ensuring the quality and availability of locally produced goods.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

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

 

     (2)  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. 610, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 610, 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