STAND. COM. REP. NO. 81

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 115

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 115 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish within the Department of Agriculture, an Aquacultural Area Lease Program for the purpose of identifying state facilities, state lands, and state marine waters that are suitable for use and lease as commercial aquacultural areas.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committees find that Hawaii's aquaculture industry continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture in the State and has become an important source of seafood and other products for local sale and export. Your Committees additionally find that the State currently imports about sixty-three percent of its seafood due to high resident and tourist demand and limited local fishery landings. This measure supports local aquacultural development and production to help the State move toward greater food sustainability and economic prosperity.

Your Committees acknowledge concerns addressed in testimony by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which notes that the Department would appreciate clarification that lease areas under the program will continue to be subject to the permitting and environmental review requirements contained in sections 183C‑6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or 190D-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, when the leased area lies within the State Land Use Conservation District. The Department also finds that the measure is unclear as to the impact to the authority and oversight of the Board of Land and Natural Resources over leasing pursuant to chapter 190D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or ocean dispositions pursuant to chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 115 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair