STAND. COM. REP. NO. 479-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1766

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1766 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture to increase biosecurity at airports and harbors; support small local farmers; and promote the safety of workers and the public in relation to agriculture, invasive species, and native ecosystems.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, and Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that this measure will strengthen the agriculture industry by promoting economically viable agriculture and food self-sufficiency in Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2150, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Should your Committee on Finance deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it insert a total appropriation amount of $300,000, to be allocated as follows:

(1) $200,000 to the Agriculture Development Division; and

(2) $100,000 to the Plant Industry Division.

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 H.B. No. 1766, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1766, 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