STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1769-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2992

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2992, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Hawaii Agricultural Investment Program within the Department of Agriculture to provide matching grants for certain activities that increase local agricultural production or processing capacity and support local agricultural producers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kauai Women's Caucus; Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; Hawai‘i Food+ Policy Internship; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and Ulupono Initiative.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2992, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair