STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1069

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 242

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs and Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 242, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support value-added agricultural operations in Hawaii by authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriating funds to be matched by private sector contributions for the planning, repair, and modification of agricultural facilities on Oahu and Maui. 

     Your Committee received testimony from five organizations, and one public citizen.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was received from one state board.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that diversified agriculture contributes to the State's economy by providing employment opportunities, products for export, and promoting tourism.  Additionally, diversified agriculture contributes to quality of life for all Hawaii residents by helping to perpetuate a rural lifestyle that promotes stewardship of Hawaii's land and water.  Your Committee finds that assigning more resources to the development and production of value-added agricultural products is necessary to transition Hawaii's agricultural economy from plantations to diversified agriculture and to ensure the long-term economic success of Hawaii's farmers and ranchers. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding a section to amend the definition of "agricultural commodities" to include livestock, so as to treat all producers of diversified agriculture equally; and

     (2)  Making a minor, nonsubstantive change for the purpose of clarity of language. 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 242, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 242, 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 Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs and Higher Education,

____________________________ JILL TOKUDA, Chair

____________________________ CLAYTON HEE, Chair