Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 293, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to fund a feasibility study for a world-class farmers' market.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Aquaculture Association. Testimony in support of the intent of the measure was submitted by the Board of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that a world-class farmers' market would provide the State's farmers with an outlet to showcase and sell their local produce and value-added products to residents and visitors. The Department of Agriculture (Department) produced an exploratory study in 2001 about the possibility of a farmers' market and has conducted a follow-up survey study of ideas, concepts, designs, and locations for such a market, as well as met with the private sector and federal government officials about establishing a market. Your Committee finds that the next step is to appropriate funds to assess the economic feasibility of establishing a permanent, world-class farmers' market in Hawaii.

Your Committee has deleted the dollar amount to enable determination of an appropriate amount by the Committee on Ways and Means.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 293, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 293, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.