STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2964

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2180

       H.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2180, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for a pilot project at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to create new technologies for sustainable agriculture in the State through scientific research and support services.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation, and four individuals.

     Your Committees find that Hawaii's agricultural industry must commit to different forms of sustainable agriculture through the use of new technologies.  Incorporating agricultural practices that enhance environmental quality, make more efficient use of resources, and help sustain the economic viability of agriculture practices will create a more vibrant agricultural industry in the State.

     If this measure is considered for passage by your Committee on Ways and Means, your Committees note that the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources will need $1,000,000 for the pilot project.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2180, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture,

____________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair

____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair