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 S.B. No. 3038, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation to support the growth of Hawaii's apiculture, or bee-keeping, industry.

Specifically, the bill appropriates funds to provide extension services, targeted research, low cost access to state land, cooperative facilities for processing products, and educational activities for the apiculture industry in Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that commercial bee-keeping has potential to make a significant contribution to our State's economy. In addition to honey and wax products, commercially raised bees may be raised for export to the mainland and Canada where commercial ventures have suffered from African bees. State support could double or triple the current apiculture gross of approximately $3,500,000 annually.

To facilitate further discussion on the funding necessary to carry out the purpose of this bill, your Committee has amended this measure by changing the amount of the appropriation from $200,000 to a blank amount.

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. 3038, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3038, S.D. 2.