STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1709

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 219

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 219, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMES ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Impose extended terms of imprisonment for certain offenses against property rights committed when on agricultural land; and

(2) Appropriate funds to the Department of the Attorney General to establish a statewide Agricultural Theft Task Force to provide law enforcement with tools necessary to identify agricultural theft perpetrators.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and Ulupono Initiative. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Office of the Public Defender, and Community Alliance on Prisons.

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. 219, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair