STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1209-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2473

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 Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2473, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Transfer the administrative attachment of the Agribusiness Development Corporation from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism;

(2) Amend the focus, scope, responsibilities, and powers of the Agribusiness Development Corporation;

(3) Amend the requirements and responsibilities of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation;

(4) Specify the required contents of the Hawaii Agribusiness Plan; and

(5) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, and one member of the Hawai‘i County Council. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawai‘i SEED, Kauai Women's Caucus, and twelve individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that because the goals and objectives of the Agribusiness Development Corporation support the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's general mission, transferring the Corporation from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is appropriate.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2473, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2473, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair