STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3207

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 134

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Education and Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 134 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO "BUY LOCAL" TO ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABILITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Education and the Department of Health to "buy local" to encourage sustainability.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education.  Comments on the measure were submitted by the Department of Health.

     Your Committees find that sustainability is an issue of paramount concern to the State and its residents.  In 2005, the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force was convened to create a state planning process for creating a sustainable Hawaii to ensure that our unique islands and way of life are maintained and sustained for current and future generations to enjoy.  Part of the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan, which the Task Force developed, is the initiative to increase and support production and consumption of local products.  This measure urges the Departments of Education and Health, two of the largest state departments, to play a major role in supporting the "buy local" initiative and promoting sustainability within the State.

     Testimony received by the Department of Health sought clarification on the current state of the law to support the need for the measure.

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended the measure by referencing section 3-120-4, Hawaii Administrative Rules, which exempts the procurement of certain products and services, including fresh meats and produce, from the Hawaii Procurement Code.  Such reference underscores the need to encourage the Departments of Education and Health to support the "buy local" initiative whenever possible.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 134, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 134, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Health,

____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

____________________________ NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair