STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2409

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2412

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2412 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Aquaculture Advisory Committee within the Department of Agriculture; and

(2) Appropriate an unspecified amount of funds for the establishment of the Aquaculture Advisory Committee.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from Department of Agriculture and Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that the growth of the State's aquaculture industry increases the economic resilience and food sustainability of the State. According to testimony received by your Committee, the farm gate value of Hawaii's aquaculture industry is $80,000,000, making aquaculture the second-highest contributor to the economy in diversified agriculture. Your Committee recognizes that more investment and research into the aquaculture industry is necessary to strengthen and build the capacity for this growing industry. This measure will establish an advisory committee to provide expert and credible guidance to the State's aquaculture development sector.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language requiring a representative of the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau that is experienced in aquaculture to serve as a member of the advisory committee;

(2) Inserting language clarifying that the members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties;

(3) Inserting an appropriation amount of $50,000; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2412, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2412, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair