STAND. COM. REP. NO. 634

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 685

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. 685 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for the Agribusiness Development Corporation to purchase a land parcel in Kau on the County of Hawaii for agricultural development.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council; Island Harvest; United Kaʻu Farmers Cooperative; Ka‘u Ocean Vista Coffee Estate; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that Kau has long been a cornerstone of Hawaii's agricultural heritage, transitioning from large-scale sugar plantations to a diverse range of farming enterprises, including coffee, macadamia nuts, fruit, vegetables, and livestock. Despite its agricultural potential, the region has often been overlooked for state farming initiatives, limiting opportunities for local farmers. This measure addresses that disparity by authorizing the acquisition of agricultural land in Kau to strengthen local farming operations, promote sustainability, and enhance food security.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the bond issuance and appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Indicating the name of the owner of the land to be acquired by the Agribusiness Development Corporation;

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

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $2,931,960.

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. 685, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 685, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair