STAND. COM. REP. NO.  418

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 400

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 400 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to support Hawaii's agricultural industry by providing funds to implement drought mitigation projects and strategies in each county of the State of Hawaii.

     The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Maui County Farm Bureau submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of the measure.

     Your Committee finds that droughts have not only affected Hawaii's agriculture and livestock industries, but have also impacted other segments of the community, such as our water supply, commerce, environment, public health, and safety.  In 2004, each county developed a long range plan and drought mitigation strategies to help reduce the negative effects of drought in their communities.

     Your Committee further finds that the Hawaii drought plan, water infrastructure polices, and county water management strategies developed in 2004 have not been implemented due to a lack of resources.  This measure will enable implementation of each county's drought mitigation strategy.

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair