STAND. COM. REP. NO. 546-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1568

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1568, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the law that requires all state departments to ensure that a certain percentage of food that is purchased is locally grown and consists of fresh local agricultural products or local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products, to:

(1) Apply only to the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, Department of Defense, and University of Hawaii System for food purchased for public schools, youth campuses, public hospitals, public prisons, and University of Hawaii facilities;

(2) Clarify that these purchasing requirements do not encompass departmental or university staff travel expenses, office staff procurement, and other staff meals separate from each of the covered state entities' offered meal services or programs; and

(3) Require each applicable state entity to annually report to the Legislature on its progress toward meeting established benchmarks.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Primary Care Association; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui; Grow Some Good; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Mala‘ai; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Public Safety and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and University of Hawai‘i System.

Your Committee finds that the identified state entities are the ones that purchase some of the greatest amounts of agricultural products for the populations they serve. While this measure may have a significant impact on local businesses and the production and use of local agricultural products, your Committee notes the concerns as to whether there is enough locally grown agricultural products to fulfill the goals established in this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1568, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1568, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair