STAND. COM. REP. NO. 762-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 2105

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2105, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support loss mitigation and efficiency improvements in the agricultural industry to achieve the State's goal of doubling local food production by 2020 by appropriating funds to the Department of Agriculture to establish and administer the Agricultural Grant Program.

The Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, Haiku Aina Permaculture Initiative, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Oahu Resource Conservation and Development Council, Ulupono Initiative, Ho‘omanapono Political Action Committee, Kona Chapter of the Hawaii Farmer Union United, Malamalama Farm and Center, Maui School Garden Network, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Kulahaven Farms LLC, Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., Waihuena Farm, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., Maui County Farm Bureau, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Agriculture provided comments.

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. 2105, 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