STAND. COM. REP. NO. 143

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1544

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. 1544 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve food security and self-sufficiency in the State by encouraging the development and implementation of a whole farm system approach to agriculture in Hawaii, which includes establishing a farmer apprentice mentoring program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Pacific Agricultural Land Management Systems, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Down to Earth, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Hawai‘i Center for Food Safety, A‘a Li‘i Farm, Kulahaven Farms LLC, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and twelve individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that there is a need to train current and future local farmers to create a more sustainable State. Your Committee further finds that this measure would establish a farmer apprentice mentoring program to teach farmers about methods to improve soil health through recycling soil nutrients, among other sustainable farming methods and practices. Overall, your Committee finds that this measure will improve food security and self-sufficiency in the State.

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. 1544 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