STAND. COM. REP. NO. 946

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 420

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 420, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a sustainable food system in the State that supports a vibrant and resilient local food economy.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Establishes within the Department of Agriculture a sustainable food systems working group to develop an interagency food systems plan that addresses, among other things:

(A) Food as a human right and healthy food for all persons;

(B) Food system resilience and sustainability; and

(C) Sustainable education, workforce development, and fair labor;

(2) Requires the working group to submit the interagency food systems plan and any recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the 2025 Legislature; and

(3) Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for:

(A) Expenses incurred by the working group; and

(B) An unspecified number of full-time equivalent sustainability specialist positions.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Malama Kaua`i, Hawaii Farm Bureau, HECA Carbon Sequestration Task Force, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Good Food Movement, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Food Plus Policy Internship, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Foodbank, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Agriculture, Pacific Agricultural Land Management Systems, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the development of a more sustainable food system in Hawaii represents an opportunity to create a new food economy that integrates the objectives of "green" job creation, sustainable economic development, land stewardship, food security, environmental protection, and climate change resiliency with community health and well-being, and accordingly, will enhance and sustain the environmental, economic, and social health of the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adjusting the composition of the sustainable food systems working group by:

(A) Adding one representative to be selected by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and

(B) Clarifying that the two members of the Native Hawaiian community to be selected by the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture shall instead be two persons having familiarity, experience, or expertise in the Native Hawaiian community;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 420, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 420, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair