STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1231-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: S.B. No. 2573

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2573, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NUTRIENT CYCLING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage nutrient cycling that fosters agricultural production by building soil health and fertility by:

(1) Establishing a Regional Nutrient Cycling Pilot Program (Pilot Program) on the island of Maui administered by the Department of Agriculture (DOA);

(2) Requiring the Board of Agriculture to establish a panel of agricultural and nutrient cycling experts to advise DOA regarding the Pilot Program;

(3) Requiring DOA to submit a report on the operational and economic efficacy of the Pilot Program to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020; and

(4) Appropriating funds for the Pilot Program.

DOA, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and two concerned individuals supported this measure. The Hawai‘i Farm Bureau commented on this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2573, S.D. 1, 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 Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair