STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2603

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2992

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. 2992 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish an Agriculture Investment Special Fund to support agricultural producers; and

(2) Make an appropriation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and Food+ Policy Internship.

Your Committee finds that increasing the amount of food produced locally is key to reducing Hawaii's reliance on imported foods. However, agricultural producers in the State often face high costs that make local agriculture uncompetitive. This measure establishes an Agriculture Investment Special Fund to provide resources to alleviate economic strains on 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. 2992 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