STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1255

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.R. No. 145

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.R. No. 145 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE FEDERAL 2008 FARM BILL AMENDMENT TO THE RICHARD B. RUSSELL NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to convene a working group to examine the federal 2008 Farm Bill amendment to the Richard R. Russell National School Lunch Act, including, at a minimum, certain issues relating to the use of locally-grown agricultural products in public schools.

     DOA and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation submitted comments. 

     Your Committee notes that concerns were raised during the public hearing regarding the lack of available resources to carry out the tasks requested of DOA.  This funding issue will likely need to be addressed as this measure moves forward in the legislative process.

     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 H.R. No. 145 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Education.

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

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair