Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.R. No. 88, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Agriculture to convene a task force to assess the agricultural theft laws to facilitate the arrest and conviction of violators.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Aquaculture Association.

Your Committee finds that the theft of agricultural commodities increases each year at an alarming rate, leading to huge losses for farmers. The aquaculture industry also reports that theft is one of the largest and most widespread problems facing the industry. With these losses, the sustainability of many agricultural and aquaculture ventures is in jeopardy. This measure will help solve the agricultural theft problem before it spins out of control by bringing together the stakeholders to work on solutions.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 88, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.