Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2009 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to pursue efforts in agricultural research and market development that will keep Hawaii's agricultural industry competitive in the global market.

The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, Agro Resources, Inc., Maui County Farm Bureau, East Kauai Water Users' Cooperative, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Kauai Coffee Company, Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company, Maui Cattlemen's Association, Gay & Robinson, Inc., and a member of the Kauai County Council submitted testimony in support of this measure. The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii supported the intent of this bill. The Board of Agriculture offered comments on this measure.

Your Committee recognizes the importance of research and market development for the expansion of existing markets and the development of new markets for Hawaii's diversified agricultural industry.

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. 2009 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.