STAND. COM. REP. NO.  673-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2676

      H.D. 2

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. 2676, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage farming in the State by establishing a five-year energy independent farming community pilot project to provide support to persons who want to be farmers, and appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to staff and plan this project.

The University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and an individual provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture 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. 2676, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair