STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1117

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 1511

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 1511, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to support the growth of aquaculture in Hawaii by allowing:

     (1)  The lengthening of lease terms for aquaculture operations from 35 to 65 years;

     (2)  Aquaculture operations in good standing to:

          (A)  Be given the right of first refusal; and

          (B)  Seek a renewal of their leases;

          and

     (3)  Aquaculture operations to engage in supportive activities that are related to or integrated with aquaculture.

     Hawaii Oceanic Technology, Inc.; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association; and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Department of Agriculture (DOA) and Marine AgriFuture, LLC, supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Food & Water Watch, Coalition Against CO2 Dumping Inc., Pono Kai, Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club, KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance, and numerous concerned individuals opposed this bill.  A concerned individual offered comments.

     After careful consideration, your Committees have amended this bill by:

     (1)  Allowing the Department of Transportation (DOT) to:

          (A)  Designate any unused or underused public lands under its jurisdiction to be used for the purposes of aquaculture; and

          (B)  Enter into agreements with DLNR or DOA to dispose of designated lands for the purposes of aquaculture;

     (2)  Allowing DLNR to exercise power granted to it over lands designated by DOT to be used for the purposes of aquaculture; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1511, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1511, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources and Agriculture,

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair

____________________________ JERRY L. CHANG, Chair