STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2751

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2800

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2800, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish an agribusiness development corporation grant program.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii farmers and ranchers are having difficulty securing the financial support necessary to make critical agriculture-related improvements.  Your Committee further finds that establishing a grant program may result in increased capacity, new business opportunities, and increased employment opportunities.  Your Committee further finds that such growth in the State's agricultural sector will contribute to achieving the State's goals of self-sufficiency and sustainability.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2800, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair