STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2023-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2473

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

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. 2473, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, 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 Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Agribusiness Development Corporation; and one member of the Hawai‘i County Council. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Pono Hawai‘i Initiative, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Kauai Women's Caucus, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Rooted Kekahi Me Ka Aina, Hawai‘i SEED, Hawai‘i Food+ Policy, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Agriculture, and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the Hawaii Agribusiness Plan include strategies for federal, state, county, and community stakeholder actions that will promote the development and enhancement of Hawaii's agricultural industries;

(2) Clarifying that the goals of the Hawaii Agribusiness Plan shall have objectives and measurable outcomes that prioritize local food production from the Agribusiness Development Corporation's leases and licenses;

(3) Changing the appropriations to unspecified amounts;

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) 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 Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2473, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2473, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair