STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3044

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 37

S.D. 1

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.C.R. No. 37 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH THE AGRICULTURE 2030 INVESTMENT PROGRAM AND A FARM TO PLATE PROGRAM IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to establish the Agriculture 2030 Investment Program and a farm-to-plate program in Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; American Heart Association; Kulahaven Farms LLC; Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Maui County Farm Bureau; Maui Farmers Union United; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Upcountry Doctor; and sixty-six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that although the State has identified actions to increase Hawaii's local food production, few systematic implementation steps have been taken toward the goals of doubling local food production by 2020 and increased food security. Your Committee further finds that Vermont, beginning in 2009, implemented a program called Farm to Plate, which establishes a systematic process to increase Vermont's agricultural production. The success of the Vermont program motivates your Committee to support the establishment of the Agriculture 2030 Investment Program and a farm-to-plate program in Hawaii and to move the State closer to the goals of doubled local food production and food security.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 37, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 37, S.D. 1.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair