STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3521

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 41

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.R. No. 41 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONVENE AN ADVISORY COMMISSION TO ADDRESS CERTAIN ISSUES TO GUIDE ACTION AND PROGRESS IN THE AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, AND FOOD SYSTEMS INDUSTRIES OF THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that the Department of Agriculture establish an advisory commission to address certain issues to guide action and progress in the agriculture, aquaculture, and food systems industries of the State.

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

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that it is the policy of the State to establish a clear direction for Hawaii's economy with regard to agriculture through stakeholder commitment and advocacy to achieve the State's agricultural objectives pursuant to section 226-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Your Committee recognizes that an advisory commission can increase communication; provide expert and credible guidance; and engage strategic partnerships between the State's private sectors, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders. The advisory commission requested in this measure will support the State's desired increase in exports and local food production, as well as its overarching goal of creating a sustainable local economy.

According to testimony received by your Committee, not only should the composition of the advisory commission adequately represent the diversity of the State's agricultural industry, but the advisory commission should also meet more frequently to ensure that the myriad of issues that the industry faces are adequately addressed. Your Committee further finds that this measure does not specify the entity to which the advisory commission should submit its recommendations. Accordingly, this measure needs to be amended to address these concerns.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the number of times that the advisory commission is requested to meet from twice a year to quarterly;

(2) Adding representatives from the following segments of agriculture to be invited to serve on the advisory commission:

(A) Livestock;

(B) Nursery and floriculture;

(C) Herbs, such as basil, cilantro, lavender, and turmeric;

(D) Eggs;

(E) Coffee; and

(F) Seed corn;

(3) Requesting that the advisory commission submit its findings and recommendations to the Board of Agriculture; and

(4) 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 41, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 41, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair