STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1447

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 520

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 520, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the preservation and growth of the State's agricultural industry by establishing within the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College a five-year Farm Succession Pilot Program to further the knowledge and technical skills of young farmers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Food+ Policy; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farmers Union United; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawai‘i Foodbank; and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, University of Hawai‘i System, Hawai‘i Food Hub Hui, and KL Felicitas Foundation.

Your Committee finds that the future of farming in Hawaii depends on the ability of existing farmers to pass on their knowledge, land, and resources to the next generation of farmers. However, the barriers to entry and the complexities of running a farm business can be overwhelming, especially for those who are just beginning. This measure would help new farmers meet these challenges.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Establishing the Farm Succession Pilot Program within Leeward Community College in collaboration with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources;

(2) Requiring the Farm Succession Pilot Program to:

(A) Offer and fund programs that provide education and training to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and

(B) Encourage and advance Native Hawaiian participation in farming and ranching through partnerships with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs;

(3) Adding the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to the public or private entities with which Leeward Community College may consult to carry out its duties under the Farm Succession Pilot Program;

(4) Changing its effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 520, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 520, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair