STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3131

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2960

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. 2960 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require and appropriate moneys for the Department of Agriculture to establish and implement a food safety certification training program to help small- to medium-sized farms comply with federal food safety certification mandates.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Ohana Hui Ventures, Inc.; Lanakila Pacific; Get Fit Kauai; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Fish Company, Inc.; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Food+ Policy Internship; and five individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that the food safety certification training program established and funded by this measure will help the State's small farms access new, larger, and more stable markets by helping them obtain the required food safety certifications.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the moneys appropriated shall be expended under (AGR192), general administration for agriculture, as suggested in written comments from the Department of Agriculture;

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

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive changes 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. 2960, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2960, 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