STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1224-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: S.B. No. 2125

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2125, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COFFEE BERRY BORER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure the successful conclusion of the five-year Pesticide Subsidy Program administered by the Department of Agriculture that offsets the costs incurred by coffee growers who purchase specified pesticides that are effective against the coffee berry borer beetle by extending the Program Manager position, including the position's civil service and collective bargaining exemption, through the fiscal year following the Program's expiration date. This will ensure that coffee farmers receive appropriate reimbursement for costs incurred in the final program year.

The Department of Agriculture, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Coffee Association, and a concerned individual supported 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2125, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair