STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2349

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 3068

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 3068 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAND ACQUISITION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the purchase of five parcels of the Dole lands.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Waialua Farmers Cooperative; West Oahu County Farm Bureau; Farm Lovers Farmers Markets; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that viable agricultural land is limited within the State.  Your Committee notes the Department of Agriculture's testimony that four of the five parcels included in this measure are viable agricultural land that will fit in the Department's non-agricultural parks program and agrees that the purchase intended by this measure is of interest to the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3068 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair