STAND. COM. REP. NO. 419

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1583

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. 1583 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds, contingent upon matching fund availability, to support the Village, an agricultural community and learning center that works to improve food security and sustainability on the Island of Hawaii by offering training for interested parties, food growing, production, and RTE meals.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Kohala Mountain Fish Company; Hawaii Fish Company, Inc.; and two individuals.

Your Committees find that the State is committed to enhancing food security in Hawaii and is open to creative proposals for initiatives that may aid in reaching this goal. Your Committees additionally find that food hubs are collaborative work spaces where farmers, ranchers, and other producers can work alongside processors and food manufacturers to create innovative food products and services. The Village is one such proposal that incorporates farming techniques from the Netherlands, which is the second largest exporter of agricultural products in the world, and will act as a food hub for local agricultural workers to collaborate and work together to create products for the State and bring in revenues through exports. This measure appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to Hawaii County to establish The Village Project.

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. 1583 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