STAND. COM. REP. NO. 182

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1082

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1082 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support the University of Hawaii at Hilo's agricultural program and agricultural farm by appropriating funds for one full-time farm coordinator position and for equipment for the Hawaii Community College Agriculture Program.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawai‘i System, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Farm Lovers Farmers' Markets, A‘a Li‘i Farm, and nineteen individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that student interest in the Hawaii Community College Agriculture Program has grown in recent years and the program averages around thirty majors each year.  The program prepares students for employment in government service, agribusiness, horticulture, livestock, flowers and foliage, landscape, macadamia nuts, papaya, and coffee industries.  Your Committees note that, currently, production at the University of Hawaii at Hilo's agricultural farm, which serves as a live instructional laboratory for both Hawaii Community College and University of Hawaii at Hilo students, is unable to meet demand, and that additional funding for personnel and equipment would help meet the demand.  Your Committees find that supporting the efforts of the Hawaii Community College Agriculture Program is important in order to increase Hawaii's self-sufficiency and sustainability efforts as well as to foster a new generation of agriculturalists throughout the State.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1082 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair