STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2593
Honolulu, Hawaii
President of the Senate
Thirty-First State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, 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:
(1) Authorize the Department of Agriculture to plan, design, construct, operate, manage, maintain, repair, demolish, and remove infrastructure on any lands under the jurisdiction of the Department to promote and support agriculture; and
(2) Establish the Agricultural Enterprise Program.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Local Food Coalition; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association; East O‘ahu County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.
Your Committee finds that small farming operations, particularly those engaged in diversified agriculture, often do not have access to the resources to maintain or expand productive processing, packing, storage, and distribution enterprises. It is often necessary for the Department of Agriculture to support small farming operations, particularly those on department lands, that have limited resources. This measure establishes the Agricultural Enterprise Program to bolster Department of Agriculture efforts to support small farms on department lands.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2947 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,
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________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
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