STAND. COM. REP. NO. 350

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 830

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 830 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY FOOD FORESTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to create an income tax credit based on real property taxes paid for landowners to incentivize leasing land for community food forests.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from One Island Sustainable Living; We Are One, Inc.; and thirty-three individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Taxation, and A‘a Li‘i Farm.

     Your Committees find that the concept of community food forests is to identify lands, particularly those near community gathering places such as parks and community centers, that may be suitable for lease for edible landscaping or growing edible plants.  Your Committees further find that the State should be exploring community food forests as a food source alternative given the State's need for greater sustainability.  Community and urban gardens may provide additional sources of low- or no-cost food to residents, while also utilizing developed land for community sustainability purposes.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 830 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair