STAND. COM. REP. NO. 63

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 352

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. 352 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE AGRICULTURAL LOAN REVOLVING FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate monies to and from the agricultural loan revolving fund.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation; and Ponoholo Ranch, Limited.

     The agricultural loan program was established to assist farmers in starting new or expanding existing farm operations; however, the program lacks sufficient capital to fully implement its goals and objectives.  Your Committee finds that additional funding is necessary to support the agricultural loan program and help the State progress toward its food production and sustainability goals.

     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. 352 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