STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2382

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2703

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2703 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish in the Department of Agriculture a grant program to assist beginning farmers and ranchers in meeting the operating costs, including start-up and organization costs, to start their farm or ranch operations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Ulupono Initiative; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that increased local food production is a goal of the State. In order to increase the amount of locally grown food consumed by Hawaii residents, it is necessary for new farmers and ranchers to enter the agricultural industry. However, the costs to begin agricultural operations are often prohibitive to new farmers and ranchers. Your Committee finds that a grant program will assist new farmers and ranchers to begin their agricultural operations which will then add local agricultural products to the market to increase the ability for consumers to eat locally produced foods.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2703 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair