STAND. COM. REP. NO. 660

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 871, H.D. 1, 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 on lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture by establishing a new agricultural enterprise program. Specifically, this measure clarifies that ancillary and other related activities supporting agriculture are encouraged on all Department of Agriculture lands, which will give the Department greater flexibility on agricultural leases.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; Local Food Coalition; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Ahualoa Family Farms; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Kauai Nursery & Landscaping Inc.; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association; Ulupalakua Ranch; Kalera, Inc.; and eight individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

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. 871, 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