STAND. COM. REP. NO.  859

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1475

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1475, H.D. 2, 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-grown food and value-added products while enabling farmers to be economically sustainable by allowing farmers' markets and food hubs on agricultural lands.

     This measure also requires certain agricultural-based operation for agricultural lands to be headquartered and registered in Hawaii and imposes a requirement that certain retail entities on agricultural lands sell products containing a specified percentage of Hawaii grown content.

One concerned individual supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Land Use Commission, and Hawaii Farm Bureau provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1475, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair