STAND. COM. REP. NO.  338

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 95

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. 95 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL HEMP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow potential applicants to the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program (Program) to apply for a license at any time during the year in which the applicant plans to grow industrial hemp.

Ho‘omana Pono, LLC., We Are One, Inc., Kihei Community Association, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and many concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture and Department of the Attorney General offered comments.

     Your Committee acknowledges the importance of statewide public input on the Program and suggests that the Department of Agriculture have public hearings on its proposed rules for the Program on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai.

     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. 95 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair