STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1184

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 899

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 899, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INTEGRATED STRATEGIES FOR STATEWIDE FOOD AND ENERGY CROP PRODUCTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish sustainable strategies that will reduce Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

     Specifically, this measure appropriates funds for the research, development, and implementation of a pilot project to demonstrate ecologically-sustainable strategies that will amend soil fertility for the production of clean energy feedstocks and food crops.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Joule Junction, LLC and four individuals.  The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine submitted testimony supporting the intent of this measure.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Respiratory and Environmental Disabilities Association of Hawaii and two individuals.  Comments were submitted by Life of the Land and two individuals.

     Your Committees find that using sustainable agricultural practices and technologies will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases that have a significant impact on global climate change.  Your Committees further find that Hawaii is the perfect venue for this type of research and development due to the islands' unique biological and geological features.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by changing the effective date from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2007.

     Your Committees further amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 899, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 899, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Environment and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair

____________________________ RON MENOR, Chair