STAND. COM. REP. NO.  128

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 649

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. 649 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to stimulate the economy and reduce the amount of blemished crops that are suitable for human consumption from going into the solid waste stream.  Specifically, this bill requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish and administer a three-year Blemished Crop Pilot Program that includes a state-sponsored kitchen for new businesses to produce value-added products using blemished crops and funds the Program.

The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Department of Agriculture supported its intent.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism submitted comments.

     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. 649 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