STAND. COM. REP. NO. 318-14
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2014
RE: H.B. No. 2468
Honorable Joseph M. Souki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Seventh State Legislature
Regular Session of 2014
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Economic Development & Business and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2468 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL FACILITIES,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to continue to support agriculture as an economic driver in the State, particularly for the island of Hawaii, through growth and diversification of the agricultural industry. Specifically, this bill:
(1) Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, to perform:
(A) Planning and feasibility studies for one or more quarantine inspection, quarantine treatment, deconsolidation, and consolidation facilities on the island of Hawaii; and
(B) A marketing and economic impact analysis for one or more of the facilities;
(2) Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit a report to the Legislature on the studies and analysis; and
(3) Appropriates funds for the economic analysis.
Agriculture has been, and continues to be, a major economic driver for the Island of Hawaii. In the Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy report prepared by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, it was determined that Hawaii Island's strong orientation toward diversified agriculture would be greatly served by the development of a central marketing facility for collection, consolidation, packing, and shipping of agricultural products. Development of such a facility would go a long way toward strengthening the economy of the Island of Hawaii as well as the State.
Should the Committee on Finance deliberate on this measure, your Committees respectfully request that it consider appropriating $200,000 for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to perform the planning, marketing, and economic analysis contained in this measure.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development & Business and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2468 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 Economic Development & Business and Agriculture,
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____________________________ JESSICA WOOLEY, Chair |
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____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair |
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