STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2884

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2947

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2947 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to promote diversified agriculture and agricultural self-sufficiency in the State.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to plan, design, construct, operate, manage, maintain, repair, demolish, and remove infrastructure or improvements on any land over which the Department has jurisdiction; and

(2) Establishes an agricultural enterprises program within the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Larry Jefts Farms LLC, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that current law allows only limited ancillary agricultural enterprise activity on lands within the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. Your Committee further finds that providing additional flexibility to the Department of Agriculture to allow for and encourage innovative agricultural enterprises could help the State attain its food sustainability and agricultural diversification goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2947, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2947, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair