STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2377

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2141

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Higher Education and the Arts and Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2141 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SUSTAINABLE AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support the growth and sustainability of Hawaii's agriculture industry by appropriating funds for the sustainable and organic agriculture program at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawaii Island School Garden Network, Kanalani Ohana Farm, and twenty-four individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Ho‘omana Pono, LLC.

     Your Committees find that across the State farmers are experimenting with different ways of producing agricultural products in ways that are sustainable and beneficial to the social, economic, and environmental well-being of farm families and rural communities.  Your Committees further find that the sustainable and organic agriculture program at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is committed to increasing awareness and adoption of sustainable and organic practices across the State while addressing the challenges of creating more profitable farm incomes, environmental stewardship, and stable and prosperous farm communities.  Your Committees find that supporting the growth of the sustainable and organic agriculture program will strengthen the organic industry in Hawaii which will help the State's agricultural industry and reduce the volume of imported organic products and invasive species that are commonly found on imported organic produce.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and the Arts and Water, Land, and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2141 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and the Arts and Water, Land, and Agriculture,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair