STAND. COM. REP. NO. 367

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 871

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 871 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support and promote agriculture in the State, specifically on lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture, by establishing a new agricultural enterprise program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Jays Hog Farm; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; AG Matters, LLC; MauiGrown Coffee, Inc.; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and University of Hawai‘i System.

Your Committee finds that while the production of crops and organisms on agricultural park and non-agricultural park lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture are promoted and allowed, existing law does not explicitly allow ancillary and other activities related to and supportive of agriculture. Supporting the broad spectrum of agricultural activities from crop development to innovative programs such as in this measure will allow Hawaii's agricultural industry to flourish. Specifically, this measure clarifies that ancillary and other related activities supporting agriculture are encouraged on all Department lands, which will give the Department greater flexibility on agricultural leases to help further develop Hawaii's agriculture industry and ensure the Department can fulfill its statewide goals and objectives.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 871, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 871, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair