STAND. COM. REP. NO.  279

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 501

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 501 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist farmers and ranchers in remaining competitive and self-sustaining by providing them with the means to request preferential rates from the Public Utilities Commission not only for potable water, but for all public utility services for agricultural activities on lands within an agricultural district.

The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture supported the intent of this measure.  The Public Utilities Commission provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 501 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair