STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1151

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 247

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 247, 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:

(1) Increase the percentages of local agricultural products that certain state departments and the University of Hawaii System are required to purchase by certain deadlines;

(2) Expand the annual reporting requirements to include total spending by certain market channels;

(3) Require each relevant state department and the University of Hawaii System to include a corrective action plan in its respective report to the Legislature, should it not meet its benchmark;

(4) Repeal the separate benchmark for the Department of Education that requires thirty percent of food served in public schools to consist of locally sourced products by 2030; and

(5) Appropriate funds for the establishment of a farm-to-state liaison within the Office of the Governor to facilitate reporting requirements and the procurement of locally grown food.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Kohana Family Farms, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Good Food Movement, Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Education and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

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 H.B. No. 247, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair