STAND. COM. REP. NO. 572-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1711

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1711 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa to establish three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions at the Kauai Research and Extension Station, including one livestock extension agent.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; Department of Agriculture; Office of Economic Development of the County of Kaua‘i; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Ulupono Initiative; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that CTAHR provides important resources for Hawaii's farmers and ranchers. Your Committee further finds that CTAHR has the ability and expertise to conduct academic research and work with producers to ensure that the research matches the needs on the ground. Moreover, CTAHR extension agents conduct livestock workshops, give presentations, and collect data for the industry.

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

Your Committee notes that should your Committee on Finance deliberate on this measure, that it consider appropriating $300,000 to CTAHR.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1711, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1711, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair