STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3056
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2473
S.D. 2
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2022
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2473, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to transfer the Agribusiness Development Corporation from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Food+ Policy; Malama Kauai; Pele Lani Farm, LLC; and numerous individuals.
Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation and Department of Agriculture.
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:
(1) Amending the focus, scope, responsibilities, and powers of the Agribusiness Development Corporation;
(2) Amending the definition of the term "agriculture" as the term relates to the Agribusiness Development Corporation;
(3) Amending the requirements and responsibilities of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation;
(4) Amending the required contents of the Hawaii agribusiness plan;
(5) Requiring the Agribusiness Development Corporation to update the Hawaii agribusiness plan no later than July 1, 2023, and every five years thereafter;
(6) Appropriating moneys to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for a consultant to assist in preparing and finalizing the Hawaii agribusiness plan, one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent accountant position to provide fiscal support services, and security guard services; and
(7) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2473, S.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.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair |
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