STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1481-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: S.B. No. 2396

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. 2396, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support new farmers and improve the State's food self-sufficiency by appropriating general revenues into the:

(1) Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund for new farmers and anticipated disaster funding; and

(2) Hawaii Water Infrastructure Special Fund to meet current and anticipated loan applications, and making appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for these purposes.

The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., and numerous concerned individuals 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. 2396, 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