STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1863

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.C.R. No. 37

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 37 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN FOR A STATE ORGANIC PROGRAM TO UNIFY THE STATE'S ORGANIC CERTIFICATION PRACTICES AND PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to support the long-term viability of organic farming in Hawaii by requesting the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to develop a plan for a state organic program to unify the State's organic certification practices and programs.

     Hawaii Cooperative of Organic Farmers supported this measure.  DOA and Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation submitted comments.

     Similar to this measure, your Committee notes that the purpose of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 38 is to support the long-term viability of organic farming in Hawaii through the development of a plan to increase aid and assistance for organic farmers.  Your Committee respectfully requests the Committee on Finance to consider combining the provisions of S.C.R. No. 38, as amended by this Committee, with the provisions of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 37 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair