STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1043

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 524

      S.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development & Business, to which was referred S.B. No. 524, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enhance food security and self-sufficiency in the State by:

     (1)  Establishing state economic planning and policy objectives regarding increased demand for, access to, and production of locally grown foods; and

     (2)  Appropriating funds to support the objective of food security and self-sufficiency.

The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, and League of Women Voters of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development & Business that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 524, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development & Business,

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair

____________________________ JESSICA WOOLEY, Chair