STAND. COM. REP. NO. 266

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1313

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 S.B. No. 1313 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent 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.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Office of Planning, University of Hawai‘i System, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, EcoTipping Points Project, and six individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Office of Planning, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, issued a report in October 2012, entitled "Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy:  A State Strategic/Functional Plan Prepared in Accordance with HRS Chapter 226 Hawaii State Plan and the Hawaii Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy".  The executive summary of the report states in pertinent part, "The purpose of the Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy (Strategy) is to increase the amount of locally grown food consumed by Hawaii residents.  This will increase food self-sufficiency which is a component of food security.  The Strategy is a living document intended as a first step toward continued dialog and implementation".  Your Committee further finds that this measure is the next step toward increasing local food production in the State.

     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 S.B. No. 1313 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair