STAND. COM. REP. NO. 33-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1717

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. 1717 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

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:

(1) Establish the foreign agriculture small equipment pilot program, in collaboration with a University of Hawaii community college, to identify and purchase foreign agricultural technology and equipment; and

(2) Submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2023.

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 Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Coffee Association, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Budget and Finance, University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and one individual.

Your Committee recognizes the importance of new technologies to enable Hawaii's farmers and ranchers to strengthen crop development and production. Establishment of a foreign agriculture small equipment pilot program will enable greater efficiencies in farming practices, especially for small-scale farming in Hawaii and further the viability of agriculture and food self-sufficiency in the State.

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. 1717 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