STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1654-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.R. No. 194

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.R. No. 194 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL AUDIT OF THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure accountability and transparency with regard to the Agribusiness Development Corporation by requesting the Auditor to conduct a management and financial audit of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2019.

GMO Free Hawaii Island, We Are One, Inc.-www.WeAreOne.cc-WAO, Pele Lani Farm LLC, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Rancho Aloha, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, North Shore EVP, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Corporation testified in opposition to this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 194 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair