STAND. COM. REP. NO.  52

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1475

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1475 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

The Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Pele Lani Farm LLC, Hawaii Opaeula, and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent of the measure.  A concerned individual opposed the measure.  The Land Use Commission submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Defining "farmers' market"; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1475, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1475, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Economic Development & Business.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair