STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3415

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 71

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 71 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO IMPLEMENT AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO PROMOTE THE PURCHASE OF HAWAII-GROWN AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to promote Hawaii-grown agricultural commodities.

     Specifically, the measure requests the Department of Agriculture to work with Hawaii growers and producers to establish a program for schools, military bases, and private entities to purchase Hawaii-grown agricultural products and to submit a report to the Legislature on the implementation of the program.

     Your Committee finds that a program expanding the local market for Hawaiian-grown agricultural products would increase consumption of local produce, benefit the State's economy, provide support for local farmers and producers of agricultural products, and encourage healthy eating habits in the State.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 71 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair