STAND. COM. REP. NO. 41-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1711

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, 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 University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources 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 Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Budget and Finance, and University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Your Committee finds that the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Kauai Research and Extension Station has been central in helping to develop and improve agricultural technologies for Hawaii's farmers, such as providing intensive cover crop research, promoting the importance of locally-grown produce, and developing biological and cultural methods for controlling pests without chemicals. Increasing the number of personnel for the Kauai Research and Extension Station will assist farmers and ranchers on the island of Kauai.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1711 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education & Technology.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair