CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 140

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2017

RE:    H.B. No. 1475

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

       C.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.B. No. 1475, H.D. 2, S.D. 2, entitled:

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

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to enhance public access to locally-grown food and value-added products while enabling farmers to be economically sustainable by allowing farmers' markets and food hubs on agricultural lands.

     After careful consideration, your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Not requiring agricultural-based commercial operations in agricultural districts to be headquartered in Hawaii;

(2)  Not specifying the percentage of Hawaii-grown content required for agricultural products and value-added products sold at roadside stands, retail food establishments, farmers' markets, food hubs, and retail activities on agricultural lands under section 205-2(d)(15), Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (3)  Changing its effective date to upon its approval; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1475, H.D. 2, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1475, H.D. 2, S.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

____________________________ MIKE GABBARD Chair	____________________________ RICHARD P. CREAGAN Co-Chair
____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair	____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA Co-Chair
____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER Co-Chair	____________________________ TY J.K. CULLEN Co-Chair