STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1212

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 1313

      S.D. 1

      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 S.B. No. 1313, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAII FOOD RESILIENCY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a statewide agricultural development and food resiliency strategy and goals, in line with the recommendations of the Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy.  This measure also appropriates funds to:

     (1)  Promote locally grown food;

     (2)  Expand and improve branding of locally grown food;

     (3)  Promote farmers' markets;

     (4)  Establish a farm to school pilot program in charter schools;

     (5)  Develop good agricultural practices for school gardens;

     (6)  Establish specialist positions to certify farm food safety;

     (7)  Develop regional agriculture infrastructure master plans; and

     (8)  Restore food inspection, pest control, biosecurity, market research, and agricultural statistics positions.

The University of Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Island School Garden Network, and a few concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Office of Planning, and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent of the measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

     Your Committee notes that a concern was raised in testimony at the public hearing that this measure, while definitely worthy, focuses on and prioritizes food production over other equally important forms of agriculture, which also merit support.

     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 S.B. No. 1313, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1313, S.D. 1, 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