STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2293

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2218

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2218 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to establish a five-year food hub pilot program to increase access to local food;

(2) Allow for the awarding of grant funds to qualified applicants wishing to establish or expand a food hub;

(3) Authorize the issuance of general obligation funds for the Honalo Marshalling Yard;

(4) Require a report to the legislature; and

(5) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership; Hawaii Meats, LLC; Hawai‘i SEED; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farmers Union United; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; and twenty individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the State's food security will be strengthened by growing more foods locally. Your Committee further finds that centrally-located food hub facilities promote coordination activities along the value chain for food products and increase access to locally produced food.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2218 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair