STAND. COM. REP. NO. 693-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2167

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2167, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a three-year Cover Crop Reimbursement Pilot Program to provide up to one hundred percent cost reimbursement to farming operations in the State for acquisition of cover crop seeds or green manure;

(2) Establish a Cover Crop Reimbursement Pilot Program manager position within the Department of Agriculture to administer the program;

(3) Require a report to the Legislature; and

(4) Appropriate funds for the pilot program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Sierra Club of Hawaii; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Center for Food Safety; Pono Hawaii Initiative; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Farm Bureau.

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 H.B. No. 2167, 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