STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2391

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2288

 

 

 

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. 2288 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMPOSTING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Establish a compost reimbursement program within the Department of Agriculture to provide reimbursements to farmers, ranchers, and landscapers when purchasing compost; and

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Pueo Orchards; Hawai‘i Farmers Union United; Hawaii Medicinal, LLC; Sunshine Farms, LLC; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Actions; Growing Together Edible Landscaping; and seven individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

 

     Your Committee finds that food waste contributes significantly to landfills.  Recycling food waste into compost can provide significant environmental benefits, such as improving soil health, increasing drought resistance, and reducing the need for supplemental water, fertilizers, and pesticides.  This measure supports the use of compost by establishing a compost reimbursement program to assist farmers, ranchers, and landscapers.  Your Committee further finds, however, that it is important for this measure to specify that only locally-produced compost will be eligible for reimbursement.

 

     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. 2288 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,

 

 

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair