STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3873

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1568

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1568, H.D. 2, 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 encourage the production and use of local agricultural products.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, Department of Defense, and University of Hawaii System to ensure that a certain percentage of the food purchased by these entities is locally grown; and

(2) Requires each of these entities to submit to the Legislature annual reports describing progress made toward meeting specified benchmarks.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System, Department of Education, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from Ka Ohana O Na Pua.

Your Committee finds that requiring state entities that purchase significant amounts of agricultural products to ensure that a certain percentage of the food purchased is locally grown will help to ensure the continued production of local food, support local farmers and ranchers, and guarantee that revenue derived from locally-grown food remains in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Department of Education's annual report to the Legislature shall include the required information from the school year preceding the regular session and not the calendar year; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 H.B. No. 1568, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1568, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair