STAND. COM. REP. NO.  648

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 995

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 995 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help revitalize local agriculture and strengthen the productive base of the economy by rebuilding and strengthening programs that educate, support and encourage youth to pursue agricultural careers.  Specifically, this measure appropriates funds to:

(1)  The Department of Education to implement and operate the Future Farmers of America Program; and

(2)  The University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to implement and operate the 4-H Program.

The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, National Future Farmers of America Organization, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Local Food Coalition, and a concerned individual provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Education and University of Hawaii 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. 995 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair