STAND. COM. REP. NO.  437-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2150

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2150 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the use of photovoltaic systems producing energy solely for use in the agricultural activities of the fee or leasehold owner of property in agricultural districts.

Kamehameha Schools and the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.  Hawaii Farmers Union United supported this measure with amendments.  The Department of Agriculture testified in opposition to this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2150, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2150, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committees on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources and Energy & Environmental Protection.

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

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair