STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1407

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 993

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 993, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support local farming by expanding the agricultural loan program offered by the Department of Agriculture by:

     (1)  Expanding eligibility for new farmer loans and expanding the allowable purposes of this class of loans to include farm innovations; and

     (2)  Authorizing a new class of loans for biosecurity projects to protect the health of humans and farm animals.

The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farmer's Union United, and several individuals testified in support of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 993, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair