STAND. COM. REP. NO. 533-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2138

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2138, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to establish an agriculture education coordinator position.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Local Food Coalition; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; Climate Future Forum; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that in its final report to the Legislature, the P-20 Agriculture Education Working Group, convened pursuant to Senate Resolution No. 80, Regular Session of 2015, recommended that an agriculture education coordinator position be established. This measure will provide funding to establish this position to effectuate a coordinated framework of support for agriculture education in the State.

Your Committee notes that the intent is that this position will be funded by state general funds at $100,000 per year.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2138, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair