STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2305

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3198

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. 3198 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BENEFITING AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds for capital improvements benefiting agriculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Producers Cooperative, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, and six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that this measure will provide support for the important work performed by the Ulu Cooperative as a food hub for producers of local starches on the islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, and Oahu and increase local food production.

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. 3198 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