STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1420

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 753

S.D. 2

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 Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 753, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to revitalize the Department of Agriculture's (DOA) Aquaculture Development Program (Program) and support the aquaculture sector, that was once a significant component in Hawaii's diversified agriculture economy, by appropriating funds to DOA.

The Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Farmers Union, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Cyanotech Corporation, Kohala Mountain Fish Company, Blue Ocean Mariculture, Aquaculture Planning & Advocacy LLC, and many concerned individuals supported this measure. A concerned individual opposed this measure. DOA and Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association submitted comments on this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the appropriated sums shall include expenditures to strengthen staff expertise and capabilities to assist the aquaculture industry in the following areas:

(A) Collection and dissemination of relevant information;

(B) Species and site selection;

(C) Facilitating permit acquisition;

(D) Product and technical services marketing; and

(E) Targeted research and extension services from the University of Hawaii on a cost-sharing basis;

(2) Clarifying that DOA's Program is the lead state agency for developing aquaculture in the State; and

(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2150, to encourage further discussion.

Your Committee respectfully requests that DOA collaborate with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, and the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority for the necessary research to revitalize the Program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 753, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 753, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair