STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1131-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2284

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development, to which was referred S.B. No. 2284, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish provisions relating to the Department of Agriculture's governing of the business of aquaculture;

(2) Grant exclusive property rights to persons who lawfully obtain the cultured progeny of wild plants and animals by brood stock acquisition;

(3) Authorize the Department of Agriculture to regulate the transportation, purchase, possession, and sale of specific aquaculture products as necessary to protect indigenous species;

(4) Require the Department of Agriculture to prepare programmatic environmental impact reports; and

(5) Appropriate funds to carry out this measure.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Mahiku A‘o Mai. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association.

Your Committees find that diversification of the State's economy is necessary to lessen economic dependence on tourism. The Department of Agriculture indicates that there is tremendous growth potential for the aquaculture industry due to the fact that seafood demand outpaces supply, with world fishery resources quickly being depleted. Local aquacultural production and development have the potential to help the State move toward greater food sustainability and expand job growth in the State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation of an unspecified amount to the Department of Agriculture for operating costs for research, outreach, and marketing and to carry out the purposes of this measure; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2284, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2284, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development,

____________________________ SEAN QUINLAN, Chair

____________________________ MARK J. HASHEM, Chair