STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2063

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2455

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2455 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 to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to operate and implement the 4-H program.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; 4 Ag Hawaii; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; and one individual.

     Your Committees find that cultivating a new generation of farmers and ranchers is vital to Hawaii's agricultural economy and sustainability.  The 4-H program works directly with volunteer farmers and ranchers to inspire youth to pursue agricultural endeavors and to become future leaders in the agricultural industry.  Accordingly, supporting the 4-H program is vital to the State's future.

     Your Committees believe that an appropriation of approximately $120,000 would be necessary for the University of Hawaii to broaden the reach and impact of the 4-H program in various communities of each county.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2455 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 Agriculture and Higher Education,

____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair

____________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair