STAND. COM. REP. NO. 777

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1155

       S.D. 2

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1155, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LONG-TERM AGRICULTURAL LEASE TASK FORCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase food sustainability in Hawaii by establishing a long-term agricultural lease task force to develop a plan for expanding the availability of long-term leases to small farms and agricultural enterprises.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Dr. Sabry Shehata, Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Hawaii at Hilo; Juanita C. Kawamoto Brown, Subcommittee Chair, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and one hundred four individuals.

     Your Committee received comments on the measure from Russell S. Kokubun, Chairperson, Board of Agriculture.

     Your Committee finds that small farmers and locally based agricultural enterprises play an important role in achieving food sustainability.  Developing a plan and making recommendations to expand the availability of long-term leases that are favorable to small farmers and agricultural enterprises will help these groups pursue innovative solutions in the field of diversified agriculture.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that private entities will be invited to serve on the task force;

     (2)  Clarifying that the task force is to submit its final findings and recommendations, rather than reporting its progress, to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2012;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1155, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1155, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair