STAND. COM. REP. NO.  282

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 1225

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 1225 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support diversified agriculture in the County of Hawaii by:

(1)  Authorizing the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, to perform:

(A)  Planning and feasibility studies for quarantine inspection and treatment, deconsolidation, and consolidation facilities on the Island of Hawaii, including possible sites at Foreign Trade Zone No. 9 in Hilo and other specified possible sites; and

(B)  Marketing and economic impact analysis for the facilities;

(2)  Requiring DBEDT to submit a status report on the planning and feasibility study and the marketing and economic analysis, including recommendations and necessary legislation, prior to the 2016 Regular Session; and

(3)  Appropriating funds for the planning and feasibility study and marketing and economic analysis.

The Department of Agriculture, DBEDT, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Farmers Union United, ‘Ai Pohaku-The Stone Eaters, Three Roads Farm, Counter Culture Food + Ferments, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development & Business that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1225 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 Agriculture and Economic Development & Business,

____________________________ DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, Chair

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair