STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2130

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 1436

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 1436, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study on the feasibility of authorizing the Department to establish and designate agricultural technology zones, or ag-tech zones, within the City and County of Honolulu, specifically the Kalihi-Palama, Kakaako, Moanalua, and Waianae Coast areas, and report to the Legislature prior to the 2020 Regular Session; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the feasibility study.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association, MetroGrow Hawaii, and Hydroponics Alternatives-Wai‘anae supported this measure. The Department of Agriculture, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and an individual provided comments.

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 S.B. No. 1436, S.D. 2, 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