STAND. COM. REP. NO.  870

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1577

      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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1577, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMPOSTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a composting grant pilot project in Department of Education (DOE) schools.

Among other things, this measure:

(1)  Establishes the Composting Grant Pilot Project Working Group (Working Group) to develop guidelines and provide oversight for campus composting;

(2)  Directs the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to issue grants pursuant to the Working Group's recommendation; and

(3)  Appropriates funds to establish and implement the composting grant pilot projects.

The DOE, Hawaii Farm to School and School Garden Hui, Malama Kauai, Kokua Hawaii Foundation, Malaai:  The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School, Surfrider Foundation's Oahu Chapter, and several individuals testified in support of this measure.  The DOA and the Department of the Attorney General commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1577, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair