STAND. COM. REP. NO.  427

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1525

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1525 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A GRANT TO WEST MAUI SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for a grant to establish a working group to support and maintain a sustainable livestock industry in the State.

     Your Committees received supporting testimony from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Maui County Farm Bureau, and the Vice Chairman of the West Maui Soil and Water Conservation District.

     The livestock industry in Hawaii has seen a significant reduction in the number of commercial farms in the State due to urbanization, and rising costs related to freight, equipment, feed, and nutrient management practices.  The working group proposed by this measure will help address these issues and to revitalize the livestock industry in the State.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1525 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ KEN ITO, Chair

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair