STAND. COM. REP. NO. 764

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 818

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 818 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to transfer the Aquaculture Development Program from the Department of Agriculture to the Agribusiness Development Corporation of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; Jamestown Point Whitney Ventures, LLC; Kauai Sea Farm; Aquaculture Planning and Advocacy; and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Agriculture primarily functions as a regulatory and enforcement body. Conversely, the Aquaculture Development Program primarily functions to promote innovation and produce economic opportunities in aquaculture. Accordingly, the goals of the Aquaculture Development Program more closely align with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, which, after the transfer, will be better positioned to support the program's efforts to increase aquaculture in the State.

Your Committee has amended the measure by:

(1) Adding a new section that explains the purpose of the measure;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 818, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 818, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair