STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1045

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 511

S.D. 1

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. 511 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support local agricultural operations by exploring the use of alternative farm technology.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a pilot program to identify and purchase the outer shell of small equipment tractors used in foreign agriculture, and attempt to retrofit their engines to comply with Environmental Protection Agency standards;

(2) Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the 2024 Legislature; and

(3) Appropriates funds for the pilot program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Aina Ho`okupu o Kilauea, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Maui County Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and seven individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that the use of farm technologies such as small equipment tractors from Japan is a way for farmers and ranchers to increase the efficiency of their operations, provided that this equipment can be retrofitted to comply with Environmental Protection Agency standards. Your Committee further finds that the pilot program funded by this measure is a creative solution to the State's farm labor shortage.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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. 511, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 511, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair