STAND. COM. REP. NO.  16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 781

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 781 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE P-20 AGRICULTURE EDUCATION WORKING GROUP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the continuing efforts of the P-20 Agriculture Education Working Group (Working Group) in the development of an implementation strategy and recommendations for the creation of a statewide coordinated framework of support for preschool through post-secondary agriculture education by:

     (1)  Establishing the position of coordinator of the Working Group;

     (2)  Outlining the duties of the Working Group and opening participation in the Working Group to certain additional persons and entities; and

     (3)  Appropriating funds for the hiring of the Working Group coordinator and for interisland travel and operating expenses of the Working Group.

The Department of Agriculture, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Farm to Keiki, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, and many concerned individuals supported this measure.  One concerned individual provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 781 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair