STAND. COM. REP. NO.  756-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2244

      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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2244, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE INSPECTORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Agriculture to establish, maintain, and enforce compliance agreements with federal or state departments of agriculture authorizing agriculture inspectors from the state of origin to monitor:

(1)  The growing and packing of commodities;

(2)  Any treatment procedures to ensure compliance with quarantine laws; and

(3)  The assessment of fees for conducting inspections.

The Department of Agriculture and two individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Nature Conservancy commented on this measure.   

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2244, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair