STAND. COM. REP. NO. 480

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 313

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 Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 313, 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 appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to establish a Foreign Agriculture Small Equipment Pilot Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that certain foreign technology, like small equipment tractors from Japan, could greatly benefit farmers and ranchers in Hawaii. However, this equipment cannot be imported because it does not comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's emission standards for small engines. This pilot program to identify and purchase foreign agricultural technology and retrofit engines to comply with applicable emission standards has the potential to overcome that hurdle, enable greater efficiencies in farming practices, and promote the viability of agriculture in Hawaii.

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. 313, 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