STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1619-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2960

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2960, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FARMERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require lessees and purchasers of farm lots and ranch lots to use that land for farming and producing food, under certain conditions; and

(2) Authorize certain agricultural cooperative associations to apply for farm lots.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; and Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2960, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair