STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1377

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.C.R. No. 222

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 222 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO IDENTIFY PRIORITIES FOR STATE-OWNED IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS TO MAXIMIZE THE USE OF SUCH LANDS FOR CRITICALLY-NEEDED AGRICULTURAL AND DAIRY PRODUCTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Department of Agriculture to identify priorities for State-owned Important Agricultural Lands (IALs) to maximize the use of these lands for critically-needed agriculture and dairy production.

     The Department of Agriculture commented on this concurrent resolution.

     Noting the concern raised in the Department of Agriculture's testimony regarding differentiating between public and private IALs, your Committee respectfully requests the Committee on Agriculture to consider this concern.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 222 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Agriculture.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources,

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair