Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2172, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the research and development of high-value agricultural products and biotechnology. Funds are also appropriated for the creation and adoption of agricultural management practices that protect Hawaii's environment, and for the development of the agribusiness incubator initiative.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's agriculture industry provides Hawaii with food, green open spaces, and an opportunity to take advantage of Hawaii's year-round growing season. In addition, our economy will benefit in producing high-end agricultural products for a more sophisticated global market since innovation and diversified agriculture can increase the value of agricultural products grown and produced in Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this bill by changing the amounts appropriated to blank amounts to allow for further discussion.

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 H.B. No. 2172, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2172, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.