STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1786-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2056

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 2056, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOIL CLASSIFICATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and Land Use Commission, to conduct a study of the suitability of the land study bureau soil overall (master) productivity rating system and other soil classification systems in the regulation of agricultural lands in the State;

(2) Require the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to submit a report on the study to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2024; and

(3) Appropriate funds to conduct the study.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and Hawai‘i Farmers Union United.

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 S.B. No. 2056, S.D. 1, 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