STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3489

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1711

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1711, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to support three additional full-time (3.0 FTE) positions at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Kauai Research and Extension Station.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawai‘i System; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Mulkern Landscaping & Nursery; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ulupono Initiative; Maui County Farm Bureau; and four individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committees find that the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) provides important outreach and education, including programs that have benefited farmers and ranchers across the State. On Kauai, CTAHR has only one Active Research and Extension Station (KARES), which facilitates a number of critical greenhouse-based research and extension projects. Before recent events, KARES had five full-time staff who maintained and supported all active research and extension plot allocations at the Kauai station. They are now down to only two employees, which poses significant harm to the continuity of agriculture extension and research efforts on Kauai, especially in the areas of ranching and animal husbandry. This measure will help ensure vital assistance to support agricultural stakeholders who rely on a number of CTAHR programs for success of their operations.

Your Committees respectfully request that your Committee on Ways and Means to consider the purpose of the appropriation and whether the moneys should be appropriated to restore funding for unfunded positions, for new positions to support the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, or both.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1711, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair