STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1036

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 1561

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1561, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate funds for the operating budget for the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) for the fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2021; and

(2) Require the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the ADC, and ADC to expand the information required in the annual report to the Governor and Legislature.

The Department of Agriculture, Larry Jefts Farms, LLC, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and an individual testified in support of this measure. ADC and Office of the Auditor provided comments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1561, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair