STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1767-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2218

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. 2218, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A FOOD HUB PILOT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to:

(A) Establish a five-year food hub pilot program that awards grant funding to qualified applicants to establish and expand food hubs in each county; and

(B) Submit to the Legislature interim progress reports on the food hub pilot program prior to the Regular Sessions of 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, and a final report on its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation prior to the Regular Session of 2027; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the food hub pilot program and infrastructure upgrades to the Honalo Marshalling Yard to be developed as a food hub.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Producers Cooperative; Aloha Harvest; Center for Getting Things Started; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Kanalani Ohana Farm; ‘Ai Pohaku; Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Producers Cooperative Board of Directors; Kauai Women's Caucus; The Cozy Cottage Home Bakery LLC; Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Punahele Provisions, PBC dba Piko Provisions; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Ulupono Initiative; Tinyville Farm; Hawaii Food Bank; Kamehameha Schools; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Farmers Union United; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Agriculture, and Hawai‘i Food+ Policy Internship.

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. 2218, 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