STAND. COM. REP. NO. 87

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1006 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 Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that agritourism is an innovative strategy that merges agriculture and tourism, providing farmers with additional revenue streams while educating consumers about local food production. By including agricultural tourism in the definition of "enterprise", this measure allows the Agribusiness Development Corporation to extend financial and technical support to farming businesses engaged in agritourism. This expansion will enable farmers to develop activities such as farm tours, hands-on workshops, and farm-to-table experiences, which not only enhance profitability but also strengthen consumer awareness and appreciation for Hawaii-grown products.

Your Committee notes that the Agribusiness Development Corporation will need to revise its rules to account for the impact that this measure will have on existing state laws related to agritourism activities before it can begin effectuating this measure, if enacted.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1006, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1006, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Tourism.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair