STAND. COM. REP. NO.  793-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2596

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2596 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE MACADAMIA FELTED COCCID,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's macadamia nuts including against the threat of the macadamia felted coccid by appropriating funds for:

     (1)  The Department of Agriculture (DOA), in cooperation with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), to research and develop methods for the prevention and treatment of the macadamia felted coccid;

     (2)  CTAHR, in cooperation with DOA, to research and develop methods for the prevention and treatment of the macadamia felted coccid, including new chemical research on cultivating macadamia nuts; and

     (3)  Hiring an extension agent at CTAHR to work on macadamia nut cultivation, post-harvest handling, and processing concerns, consistent with the Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association research priority goals.

The University of Hawaii System, Royal Hawaiian Orchards, ILWU Local 142, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association, and several individuals provided testimony in support of the measure.  The Department of Agriculture and an individual provided comments.

     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 H.B. No. 2596 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair