STAND. COM. REP. NO. 51

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1151

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1151 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the amount of state funds that the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture may approve for any agricultural and aquacultural loan applicant.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council.

Your Committee finds that the current agricultural and aquacultural loan cap of $25,000 has not been updated since the 1980s. Your Committee recognizes that business costs have increased since then.

Your Committee further finds that this measure would provide greater assistance to farmers through the availability of state loans of up to $100,000. Your Committee also notes that the Department of Agriculture has indicated this measure will enable the Department to respond more quickly to assist applicants during times of emergency.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1151 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair