STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2148

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2075

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2075 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SUSTAINABLE AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions and operating expenses of the sustainable and organic agriculture program administered by the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; Department of Agriculture; Oahu County Legislative Priorities Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; We Are One, Inc.; Kokua Hawaii Foundation; Polanui Hiu CMMA; Maui Hemp Institute; Kakalina Farms; A‘a Li‘i Farm; Civic Education Council; Kulahaven Farms, LLC; Maui Farmers Union United; Farm Lovers Farmers Markets; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Maui County Farm Tours; Beyond Organic Consulting, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; HFUU; and numerous concerned individuals.

Your Committees find that the sustainable and organic agriculture program administered by the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is a part of the world's largest nontraditional education system - the cooperative extension system. Across Hawai‘i, farmers are experimenting with different ways of producing agricultural products in ways that are sustainable and beneficial to the social, economic, and environmental well-being of farm families and the rural communities in which they live. However, without adequate funding and staff, the sustainable and organic agriculture program is unable to fully meet its goals of increasing farm income, promoting environmental stewardship, and promoting stable and prosperous farm families and communities. Therefore, it is essential that the State support sustainable agricultural practices to ensure Hawaii's diversified agricultural industry.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2075 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair