STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2303

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2987

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. 2987 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to impose extended terms of imprisonment for certain offenses against property rights when committed on agricultural land and to appropriate funds for the Department of the Attorney General to establish a Statewide Agricultural Theft Task Force.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Coffee Association; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that offenses committed on agricultural lands pose a threat to the successful and continued operation of agricultural businesses. Offenses that damage the ability of agricultural businesses to produce agricultural products are particularly harmful to the State in its efforts to promote the agricultural industry.

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. 2987 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair