STAND. COM. REP. NO.  334-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2275

      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. 2275 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a beginning farmer and beginning rancher grant program in the Department of Agriculture to assist them in meeting the operating costs to start their own farm or ranch operations.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Pono Hawaii Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the average age of Hawaii's farmers is now sixty years of age, which inhibits Hawaii's ability to increase its food self-sufficiency.  Your Committee further finds that the State must increase the number of commercial farms and ranches to increase its local food supply.  One of the barriers to starting a farm or ranch is the high capital costs.  The grant program in this measure is designed to encourage and assist beginning farmers and ranchers.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the amount of the appropriation to an unspecified sum;

 

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

 

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

 

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this matter, to consider appropriating $1,000,000 for the beginning farmer and beginning rancher grant program.

 

     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. 2275, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2275, 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