STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2276

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.C.R. No. 118

S.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.C.R. No. 118, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DESIGNATE AREAS IN EACH COUNTY FOR DAIRY OPERATIONS AND DEVELOP INCENTIVES TO INCREASE DAIRY OPERATIONS IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the decreasing number of dairies in the State by requesting the Department of Agriculture to:

(1) Designate areas in each county for dairy operations and develop incentives to increase dairy operations; and

(2) Submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, regarding designated areas and incentives for dairy operations and examination of the effects of the Milk Act on the decline of Hawaii's dairy industry and recommendations to address future issues, to the Legislature prior to the 2020 Regular Session.

The Councilmember representing District 9 of the Hawaii County Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Maui Farmers Union United, Hawaii Farmers Union, Oahu County Committee of the Oahu County Democrats, Birds With Arms Farms, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and several individuals testified in support of this measure. Vegetarian Society of Hawai‘i, Keiko Conservation International, Animal Rights Hawai‘i, Aloha Animal Advocates, Pele Lani Farm LLC, and several individuals opposed this measure. The Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Center for Food Safety, and Ka Ohana O Na Pua provided comments on this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 118, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair