HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2004

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Rep. Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., Chair

Rep. Alex M. Sonson, Vice Chair

Rep. Jerry L. Chang	Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo
Rep. Robert N. Herkes	Rep. Glenn Wakai
Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu	Rep. Chris Halford
Rep. Michael Y. Magaoay	Rep. Mark G. Jernigan
Rep. Blake K. Oshiro	Rep. Barbara Marumoto
Rep. Brian Schatz	Rep. Guy P. Ontai

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE:	Wednesday, February 4, 2004
TIME:	9:00am to 11:30am
PLACE:	Conference Room 325 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

Please submit 35copies of testimony to the AGR vice chair's office in Room 323.

HB 2009	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT. Appropriates $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2004-2005 for agricultural research and market development conducted by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.	AGR, FIN
HB 2038	RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION. Clarifies definition of "farm dwelling" for purposes of land use law.	AGR, WLH
HB 2199	RELATING TO CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Extends existing law prohibiting cruelty to animals to include the humane treatment of farm animals, such as by outlawing veal crates for calves and gestation crates for pigs.	AGR, JUD
HB 2338	RELATING TO THE EXEMPTION OF LEASES AND UTILITY AND ACCESS EASEMENTS. Exempts leases and access and utility easements from the prohibition of private restrictions on agricultural uses and activities within State agricultural districts.	AGR, WLH, JUD
HB 2340	RELATING TO MILK CONTROL. Eliminates the requirement for Executive approval of orders amending the established minimum prices or salvage values of milk.	AGR, CPC
HB 2341	RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. Provides for staggered terms for the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.	AGR, JUD
HB 2343	RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES. Moves coffee weighing provisions which were never implemented, and provisions regulating the advertising of fresh fruit and vegetables and coffee to the chapter dealing with agricultural grades and standards. Allows the use of the Certification Services Revolving Fund to hire temporary employees to assist in certifying chicken eggs and meat.	AGR, CPC, FIN
HB 2344	RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WATER USES. Provides agricultural water use with the same level of protection as other uses under the State Water Code.	AGR, WLH
HB 2345	RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS. Revises provisions that impair the transfer of agricultural land from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture.	AGR, WLH
HB 2655	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PAAUILO RENDERING PLANT, HAMAKUA, BIG ISLAND. Appropriates funds for improvements to the Paauilo rendering plant in Hamakua.	AGR, FIN

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

PERSONS WISHING TO TESTIFY ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT 35 COPIES OF THEIR TESTIMONY AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING TO: (1) THE AGR COMMITTEE'S VICE CHAIR IN ROOM 323, STATE CAPITOL, OR (2) THE HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS TESTIMONY DROP OFF BOX IN THE TURNAROUND AREA OF THE CAPITOL BASEMENT PARKING LOT. TESTIMONY MAY BE FAXED TO THE HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS OFFICE AT: 586-6501 (OAHU) OR 1-800-535-3859 (NEIGHBOR ISLANDS). WHEN FAXING, PLEASE INDICATE TO WHOM THE TESTIMONY IS BEING SUBMITTED, THE DATE AND TIME OF THE HEARING, AND THE REQUIRED NO. OF COPIES THAT IS NEEDED FOR SUBMITTAL.

IT IS ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE COPIES BE ON ONE SIDE OF AN 8-1/2" X 11" SHEET WITH TWO HOLES PUNCHED AT THE TOP. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE AGR COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6010.

IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE OR AUXILIARY AIDS AND/OR SERVICES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS OF THE STATE HOUSE (I.E., SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY, OR PARKING DESIGNATED FOR THE DISABLED), PLEASE CONTACT THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING SO ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.

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Rep. Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr.

Chair