STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3099

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2710

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. 2710, 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 appropriate funds for one full-time equivalent accredited rural appraiser within the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Ponoholo Ranch, Ohana Farm Orchards, Ulupalakua Ranch, Hawaii Coconut Protectors, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, East Oahu County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Waihale Products, KVTHC, Ono Pop's Kauai, Pacific Ag Consultants, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that funding the accredited rural appraiser position will help the State further its goal of promoting diversified agriculture.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

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

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. 2710, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2710, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair