STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2079

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 96

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 96 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES, AND OTHER RELATED ENTITIES TO TAKE ACTION TO HELP EXPAND THE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage the expansion of the aquaculture industry in Hawaii, specifically through the transfer of certain University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources land parcels to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the purposes of establishing aquaculture production on those lands.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that this measure aims to reduce reliance in the State on imported seafood and aligns with the statewide goal of increasing local food production through expansion of Hawaii's aquaculture industry.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 96 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair