STAND. COM. REP. NO. 106

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1155

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 1155 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 establish the Long-Term Agricultural Lease Task Force within the Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; the Hawaii Farmers Union; the Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network; the Sierra Club, Hawai‘i Chapter; Meleanas Farm; the Kaua‘i School Garden Network; and twelve individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that limitations on lease terms affect the ability of small farmers and agricultural enterprises to pursue innovative solutions in the field of diversified agriculture.  Developing a plan and recommendations to expand the availability of long-term leases that are favorable to small farmers and agricultural enterprise will improve community investment in long-term food sustainability in the State.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by adding to the membership of the Task Force a representative from:

     (1)  Kamehameha Schools;

     (2)  Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.; and

     (3)  Grove Farm Company, Inc.

     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 S.B. No. 1155, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1155, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair