STAND. COM. REP. NO. 552

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1547

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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 1547 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a food and product innovation network within the Agribusiness Development Corporation; and

(2) Appropriate funds for food and product innovation facilities on the islands of Molokai and Oahu.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and one individual. Your Committees received testimony in opposition of this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that the State is determined to enhance food security and establish a self-reliant agricultural sector in Hawaii. However, farmers, ranchers, and food product producers in the State require significant investment to serve as a catalyst that will set the industry on a path towards self-sufficiency. Thus, this measure establishes a food and production innovation network within the Agribusiness Development Corporation and appropriates funds for food and product innovation facilities on the islands of Molokai and Oahu.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1547 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair