STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1572

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 453

       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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 453, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and fund a grant program to assist farmers and ranchers in paying for costs of complying with various food safety laws and regulations.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that local farmers and ranchers are crucial to the State's economy and the pursuit of food security.  These farmers and ranchers must comply with a variety of food safety laws and regulations in order to sell their products.  Your Committee further finds that the costs associated with food safety law and regulation compliance can be significant and can make it difficult for a small farmer or rancher to stay in business.  Your Committee believes that assisting farmers and ranchers in complying with food safety laws and regulations assists the State's economy and the pursuit of food security.

     Should a Committee on Conference decide to convene on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider providing an appropriation of $1,000,000 to adequately fund the grant program established by this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 453, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair