STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1172-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: S.B. No. 2928

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. 2928, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support and sustain the progress of the Hawaii Farm to School Program (Program) by:

(1) Establishing and funding a three-year Farm to School Grant Pilot Program (Pilot Program), within the Department of Agriculture, to provide grants to qualifying entities including Department of Education schools, early care and education centers, soil and water conservation districts, and farmers, ranchers, and food vendors registered with the Program;

(2) Requiring the Hawaii Farm to School Coordinator to report to the Legislature on the value and outcome of the Pilot Program;

(3) Appropriating funds for the Pilot Program;

(4) Appropriating funds to continue the Program by allocating funds for a full-time Farm to School Coordinator position and administrative costs of the Program; and

(5) Appropriating funds to assist farmers and ranchers in acquiring good agricultural practices certification from the United States Department of Agriculture.

The American Heart Association, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, Momilani Farm, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Kona Chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui, Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., Hawaii State Teachers Association, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Ohana O Na Pua, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, Local Food Coalition, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure. The Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Education, State Procurement Office, and University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources commented on 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. 2928, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Education.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair