STAND. COM. REP. NO. 925

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1148

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1148, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture's agricultural loan program to assist local farmers and ranchers who have experienced losses due to natural disasters.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the University of Hawaii, the Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaii, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, the Volcano Isle Fruit Company, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Local Food Coalition, Hoomanapono Political Action Committee, Birds With Arms Farms, Maui Farmers Union United, Beyond Organic Consulting, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State's support of agriculture following natural disasters will contribute significantly to the overall resiliency and continued growth of this industry.

Your Committee notes that an appropriation of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2019-2020 is necessary to achieve the intent of this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation amounts to unspecified sums;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1148, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1148, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair