STAND. COM. REP. NO. 716

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 524

       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. 524 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to implement the recommendations of the Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy by:

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

     (2)  Making various appropriations.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Land Use Research Foundation, and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that approximately eighty-five per cent of the State's food is imported, which makes Hawaii particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and global events that disrupt the chain of food supply.  Your Committee believes that by implementing the Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy, this measure will increase the amount of locally grown food consumed by Hawaii residents, thereby improving the State's food self-sufficiency and food security.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Narrowing the focus of the appropriation in section 5 of the measure to the production of locally grown agricultural product promotional materials, along with other endeavors;

     (2)  Clarifying that the Agricultural Development and Food Security Program shall be within the Department of Agriculture;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

     (4)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 524, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 524, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair