STAND. COM. REP. NO. 733

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 1271

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1271 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Repeal the Agribusiness Development Corporation; and

(2) Transfer all lands held by the Agribusiness Development Corporation and all of the Agribusiness Development Corporation's staff, except for the Executive Director, to the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Farm to Keiki; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Pele Lani Farm LLC; We are One, Inc; Food + Policy Internship; Na Kupuna Moku O Keawe; Hawai‘i SEED; Pesticide Action Network; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Our Revolution Hawaii; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Kalepa Koalition and Pono Hawai‘i Initiative.

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 H.B. No. 1271 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair