STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2840

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2944

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2944, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the use of important agricultural lands and lands with class A or B productivity ratings for waste disposal.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawaii Corp Improvement Association, CropLife America, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, and Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action.

Your Committee finds that prioritizing and preserving agricultural lands for agricultural production is essential to ensure that Hawai‘i can achieve its food security and sustainability goals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2944, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair