STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2083

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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 753, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture for the revitalization of the State's Aquaculture Development Program, including the strengthening of staff expertise and capabilities to assist the State's aquaculture industry in data collection and dissemination, species and site selection, permit acquisition, product and technical services marketing, and targeted research and extension services from the University of Hawaii on a cost-sharing basis.

The Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Local Food Coalition, Cyanotech Corporation, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Blue Ocean Mariculture, Molokai Sea Farms, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture Planning & Advocacy LLC, and two individuals provided comments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 753, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair