STAND. COM. REP. NO.  71

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   H.B. No. 871

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, 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 the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaii System; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Hawaii Food Products; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Seymour Resources Hawaii; Ulupono Initiative; Kalera; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Ag Matters, LLC; Ulupalakua Ranch; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Local Food Coalition; Scott E. Enright, Company LLC; GreenWheel Food Hub; and three individuals.

 

     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.  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.

 

     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. 871 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair