STAND. COM. REP. NO. 186-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2190

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. 2190 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Agricultural Enterprise Program under the Department of Agriculture (Department) to allow the Department or a lessee to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain, manage, repair, demolish, and remove infrastructure or improvements on lands over which the Department has jurisdiction, to support and promote agriculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Meats LLC, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Local Food Coalition, East Oahu County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Coffee Association, Meadow Gold Dairies, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation and one individual.

Your Committee finds that significant investment is needed in order for Hawaii's agriculture to become modernized. Increased management and control over lands under the Department's jurisdiction will support adapting to new developments in technology and methodology in agriculture and aquaculture. This flexibility will allow the Department to attain the food sustainability goals of the State.

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.

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. 2190, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2190, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair