STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1657

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 157

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.C.R. No. 157 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGIC PLAN AND PREPARE AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to develop a Sustainable Food Security Strategic Plan and prepare an annual report to the Legislature regarding development of the Plan.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that the State's food inventory leaves Hawaii with only a three to seven day supply of food when shipments from the mainland are delayed or cancelled. Your Committee further finds that improving access to and increasing the availability of sustainable local foods will benefit the residents of Hawaii and the State as a whole. This measure therefore requests the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with various stakeholders, to develop a Sustainable Food Security Strategic Plan and report its findings to the Legislature.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 157 and recommends its adoption.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair