STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2006

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2434

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2434 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO KUNOA CATTLE COMPANY, LLC,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Kunoa Cattle Company, LLC, to fund the construction of a multi-species livestock farm, expansion of slaughter and processing infrastructure, development of distribution assets and agritourism services, and expansion of renewable energy assets.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Kunoa Cattle Company, LLC; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Animal Rights Hawai‘i and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that Kunoa Cattle Company, LLC, seeks to construct a multi-species livestock farm, expand its slaughter and processing infrastructure, develop its distribution assets and agritourism services, and expand its renewable energy assets in an effort to increase local food production in the State, which is in the public interest and for the public's general welfare.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2434 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair