STAND. COM. REP. NO. 551

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1589

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. 1589 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HEMP TASK FORCE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a Hawaii Hemp Task Force to inform public policy and identify methods and actions to best support Hawaii agriculture and build a hemp industry to support rural economic development.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Hemp Farmers Association, and six individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from Office of Information Practices and one individual.

Your Committees find that the hemp industry in Hawaii has quickly evolved in the last four years and greater communication and sharing of data between the State and hemp farmers and industry members can significantly benefit the industry. Your Committees further find that a Hawaii Hemp Task Force can save agencies time and resources by identifying data that will facilitate the implementation of supportive agricultural policy that protects consumers and the environment; create more viable opportunities for Hawaii farmers through policy that recognizes the unique needs of farming in Hawaii; support greater food security by identifying the paths forward for substantial hemp seed production; and create rural economic development opportunities by identifying infrastructure and next steps forward to support a vibrant hemp industry across all sectors, fiber, fuel, CBD, and food. This measure establishes a Hawaii Hemp Task Force to facilitate collaboration between invested actors and benefit the hemp industry and thus, the State.

Your Committees acknowledge the testimony of Hawaii Sustainable Farms, which recommends amending the language in section 141-42(f), Hawaii Revised Statutes, as proposed in this measure, to include a representative from the microgreen sector on the Hawaii Hemp Task Force. Your Committees find that this issue merits further consideration and requests that your Committee on Ways and Means considers this testimony and incorporate any changes it deems necessary.

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. 1589 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