STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2408

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2083

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2083 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RESTORATIVE AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture's Aquaculture Development Program to conduct a feasibility study to identify potential sites in the State for restorative aquaculture activities; and

(2) Require the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the Regular Session of 2025; and

(3) Appropriate $300,000 for the Department of Agriculture's Aquaculture Development Program to conduct a feasibility study to identify potential sites in the State for restorative aquaculture activities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that restorative aquaculture is a sustainable opportunity for food production that can also benefit the ocean and climate. Your Committee recognizes that the State is well-positioned and suited for restorative aquaculture activities because of its favorable climate, critical ocean biosecurity through natural isolation, and high seafood consumption. According to testimony received by your Committee, thorough planning is necessary to sustain initiatives that incorporate conservation benefits with good aquacultural practices. The identification of viable locations for restorative aquaculture activities as provided in this measure will support proper permitting, efficient resource allocation, and community support for projected activities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 2083, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2083, S.D. 1, 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