STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1764

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.C.R. No. 92

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 92, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS AND LEASE TERMS FOR ITS AGRICULTURAL LOTS TO AID SMALL FARM BUSINESSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to consider amending the eligibility qualifications and lease terms for its agricultural lots to aid small farm businesses.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii farmers are facing difficulty in obtaining long-term leases and reasonable lease rents because there is pressure on the use of important agricultural land for higher-value purposes, resulting in accelerated decline near urban areas due to farmers' disinvestment in their farm operations in anticipation of development. This measure would request the Department of Agriculture to address these challenges by amending eligibility for agricultural lots and developing ways to encourage more affordable long-term leases.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 92, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair