STAND. COM. REP. NO.  346

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 959

      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. 959 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Auditor to conduct a management and financial audit of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

The Friends of Makakilo and three concerned individuals supported the measure.  The Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Corporation opposed the measure.  The Office of the Auditor submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Extending the deadline for the Auditor's report to the Legislature, to not later than 20 days prior to the Regular Session of 2019;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 31, 2150, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     In recognition of the Agribusiness Development Corporation's limited staffing, your Committee has extended the deadline for the completion of the Auditor's report.

     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. 959, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 959, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair