HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2006

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Rep. Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., Chair

Rep. Clift Tsuji, Vice Chair

Rep. Jerry L. Chang	Rep. Glenn Wakai
Rep. Robert N. Herkes	Rep. Kyle T. Yamashita
Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu	Rep. Chris Halford
Rep. Michael Y. Magaoay	Rep. Bud Stonebraker

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE:	Wednesday, March 15, 2006
TIME:	9:00 a.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 325 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

SB 2235 SD1 (SSCR2818)	RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS. Increases from $25,000 to $50,000 the chairperson's authority to approve agricultural loans and aquacultural loans. (SD1)	AGR, FIN
SB 2478 SD1 (SSCR2822)	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT. Appropriates an unspecified amount for Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to conduct agricultural research and market development. (SD1)	AGR, FIN
SB 2485 SD2 (SSCR2826)	RELATING TO SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS. Allows the authorization of special purpose revenue bonds for certain agricultural businesses operating on important agricultural lands. (SD2)	AGR, JUD, FIN
SB 2492 SD1 (SSCR2587)	RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY RIGHTS. Establishes intentionally and knowingly damaging the agricultural or aquacultural equipment, supplies, or products of another as the crime of criminal property damage. (SD1)	AGR, JUD
SB 2954 SD2 (SSCR2831)	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Establishes an irrigation repair and maintenance special fund. Establishes a tax credit for matching funds provided by landowners who receive funding from the special fund. Appropriates money for the repair of irrigation systems statewide. (SD2)	AGR, FIN
SB 3049 SD1 (SSCR2668)	RELATING TO HONEY. Requires honey imported into Hawaii to be labeled according to its country or countries of origin and per cent constituents of natural honey and non-honey sweeteners, including ultra-filtered sweeteners. Requires DOA to adopt rules to certify compliance with labeling and purity requirements. (SD1)	AGR, CPC
SB 3078 SD2 (SSCR2835)	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Requests LRB to conduct a study to identify elements for the Hawaii agribusiness plan and to submit the LRB's findings and recommendations to the legislature. (SD2)	AGR, FIN

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

PERSONS WISHING TO TESTIFY ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT 25 COPIES OF THEIR TESTIMONY AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING TO: (1) THE COMMITTEE'S VICE CHAIR IN ROOM 326, 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 ALSO BE FAXED IF LESS THAN 5 PAGES IN LENGTH 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 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.

SELECTED HEARINGS ARE BROADCAST LIVE. CHECK THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE BROADCAST SCHEDULE ON THE "CAPITOL TV" WEB SITE AT WWW.CAPITOLTV.ORG OR CALL 550-8074 FOR A LISTING.

		________________________________________ Rep. Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr. Chair