STAND. COM. REP. NO. 618

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 327

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 327, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the Hawaii State Planning Act to establish a policy of:

     (1)  Increasing the purchase and use of Hawaii-grown food by residents, businesses, and governmental bodies; and

     (2)  Encouraging residents and visitors to support Hawaii's farmers by purchasing locally-grown products.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Planning.

     Your Committee finds that food insecurity and growing obesity are severe challenges facing the State.  It has been reported that one in every three children born in the year 2000 is expected to develop diabetes at some point in their lives and that more than nineteen per cent of Hawaii residents live in food insecure households.  Your Committee also finds that promoting the consumption of locally-grown food will increase the availability of fresh, high quality produce throughout the State.  Your Committee believes that the adoption of this policy will help ensure that agriculture is a driving economic force in Hawaii, which will lead to job creation and improved food security 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 327, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair