Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2017, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funding for agricultural research and development to be conducted by the Hawaii Agricultural Research Center (HARC).

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association, Sweet Aloha Farms LLC, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Maui County Farm Bureau, Alluvion, Inc., Waialua Farmers, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Gay & Robinson, Inc., Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, North Shore Farms Waialua Vine Ripe, Water Users' Cooperative, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company, Hawaii Egg Producers Cooperative, Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Papaya Industry Association, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that agricultural research is essential to the success of diversified agriculture in Hawaii. It provides the knowledge base that will help producers increase their yields by choosing crops and varieties wisely, knowing when and where to plant, combating pests, and assuring the highest possible post-harvest quality. Increased yields mean increased profits; increased profits mean a greater contribution to Hawaii's economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by replacing its contents with the contents of Senate Bill No. 2132, Senate Draft 1, for style purposes, and by inserting $1,000,000 in the appropriation amount.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2017, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2017, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.