STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3011

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3361

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3361 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to include oilseed cover crops, such as camelina, carinata, pennycress, and sunflower, among the crops for which the costs of acquisition may be reimbursed to farming operations pursuant to the three-year cover crop reimbursement pilot program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, LLC; and two individuals.

Your Committee recognizes that Act 312, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, established the cover crop reimbursement pilot program to provide farming operations with an incentive to use land management practices that enhance the quality and sustainability of agricultural lands. Your Committee also recognizes that oilseed cover crops may be used to produce renewable energy and increase pollinator health and biodiversity. Your Committee finds that including oilseed cover crops in the cover crop reimbursement pilot program is appropriate, as those crops will both increase agricultural productivity and further the State's agricultural sustainability goals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3361 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair