STAND. COM. REP. NO. 928

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1544

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1544, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to add the increase of the production of food intended for human consumption that is produced and sold in the State to the statutorily mandated general duties of the Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.

     Your Committee finds that increased local food production is a top priority of the State to achieve the state goal of sustainability.  Your Committee supports all efforts that encourage increased local food production in the State.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1544, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1544, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair