STAND. COM. REP. NO. 859

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 451

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 451, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's environment and support the State's agricultural sector by appropriating funds for the operational expenses and staffing costs of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts.

The Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts, Ka‘u Soil and Water Conservation District, West Kauai Soil and Water Conservation District, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Coffee Association, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Ponoholo Ranch, Ltd., Bayer, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Larry Jefts Farms, LLC, and many individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii offered comments on this measure.

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. 451, 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