STAND. COM. REP. NO. 457

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 490

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 490 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY FOOD FORESTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a community food forest program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources to work collaboratively with local government and community organizations to provide sources of healthy food statewide.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, EcoTipping Points Project, and three individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committees find that the concept of community food forests is to identify lands, particularly those near community gathering places such as parks and community centers, that may be suitable for lease for edible landscaping or growing edible plants. Your Committees further find that the State should be exploring community food forests as a food source alternative given the State's need for greater sustainability. Community and urban gardens may provide additional sources of low- or no-cost food to residents, while also utilizing developed land for community sustainability purposes.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation amount of $125,000, allocating $75,000 for a program administrator position and $50,000 for operating expenses;

(2) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 490, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 490, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair