STAND. COM. REP. NO. 436

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1006

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 1006, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to include agricultural tourism in the definition of "enterprise" to authorize the Agribusiness Development Corporation to financially support farming businesses engaged in agricultural tourism.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that agricultural tourism is an entrepreneurial strategy that offers local farmers, many of whom may qualify as small businesses, greater economic opportunities through direct sales to and interaction with visitors to the State and other customers, while allowing farmers to capitalize on Hawaii's unique regional identity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1006, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism,

____________________________

ADRIAN K. TAM, Chair