STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2598

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2972

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2972 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY SPECIAL FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to deposit revenue from the State Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Control Branch into the Animal Industry Special Fund and to allow funds from the special fund to be expended to make laboratory improvements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.

Your Committee finds that the State Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Control Branch of the Department of Agriculture plays an important role in protecting Hawaii's agricultural industry from diseases and other threats. However, the State Veterinary Laboratory often requires improvements to maintain its operations. This measure supports improvements to the laboratory by depositing certain revenues in the Animal Industry Special Fund and allowing expenditures from the special fund to be used for laboratory improvements.

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. 2972 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,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair