STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3214

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2702

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2702, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase opportunities for certain qualified entities, including farmers, to obtain a lease for non-agricultural park lands.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Food Products Inc.; Hawaii Beef LLC; Ponoholo Ranch; Ohana Farm Orchards; HCP; Waihale Products; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii Farm Bureau; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; Leilani Nursery, Inc.; Hawaiian Flower Gardens, Inc.; Kunia Village Title Holding Corporation; Ulupalakua Ranch; Mulkern Landscaping & Nursery; Maui County Farm Bureau; Ono Pop's Kauai; KM Farm and Ranch; and ten individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure will allow many qualified entities in the State, including many farmers and farming enterprises, to obtain leases for non-agricultural park lands. By providing this access to non-agricultural park land leases, your Committee believes that these entities and farmers will also have better access to investment capital to improve their agricultural production capacity. Your Committee further finds that this measure aligns with the statewide goals of increasing local food production and supporting local agriculture.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2702, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2702, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair