STAND. COM. REP. NO. 803-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1717

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1717, 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:

(1) Appropriate funds to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa to establish the Foreign Agriculture Small Equipment Pilot Program, in collaboration with a University of Hawai‘i community college; and

(2) Require the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2023 on the progress of the pilot program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Maui County Farm Bureau; and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Budget and Finance, and University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1717, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair