STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2952

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1971

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1971, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO KUNOA CATTLE COMPANY, LLC,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Kunoa Cattle Company, LLC, to fund the construction of a multi-species livestock farm, expansion of the slaughter and processing infrastructure, development of distribution assets and agritourism services, and expansion of renewable energy assets.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Kunoa Cattle Company, LLC; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Keiko Conservation, Animal Rights Hawai‘i, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that Kunoa Cattle Company, LLC, seeks to construct a multi-species livestock farm, expand its slaughter and processing infrastructure, develop its distribution assets and agritourism services, and expand its renewable energy assets, all of which will support local ranchers and farmers who raise livestock and encourage food sustainability.

Your Committee has amended this measure by indicating that Kunoa Cattle Company, LLC, is a Delaware corporation.

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 H.B. No. 1971, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1971, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair