STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1167
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.B. No. 782
H.D. 1
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 782, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The
purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a working
group within the Department of Agriculture to review and make recommendations
on amending or repealing unnecessary or obsolete laws pertaining to
agriculture.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and five individuals.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.
Your Committee finds that the agricultural needs of the State have significantly changed over the years and that many existing agricultural laws and regulations established decades ago may no longer align with the needs of modern farming practices, advancements in technology, and the State's goal of increasing local food production. According to testimony received by your Committee, a dedicated working group will provide an opportunity for agricultural stakeholders, policymakers, and regulatory agencies to collaborate in identifying and addressing policies that may be hindering the growth of local agriculture.
Your Committee
notes the
concerns raised by the Hawaiʻi
Farmers Union United that the scope and the membership of the working group,
as proposed by this measure in its current form, may prevent it from being
inclusive, effective, and aligned with Hawaii's agricultural priorities. Adding to the working group representation
from key agencies that regulate land and water use will help ensure that state
policies align with its agricultural needs.
Further, expanding the scope of issues for the working group to review will
help better address the full range of policy barriers that impact agriculture
in the State. Amendments to this
measure are therefore necessary to address these concerns.
Accordingly, your Committee has amended
this measure by:
(1) Adding the following members, or their designees, to the working group:
(A) Chairperson of the Land Use Commission;
(B) Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management; and
(C) Director of the Office of Planning and
Sustainable Development;
(2) Clarifying that the designees of the leaders
of certain stakeholder groups may be invited by the Chairperson of the working
group;
(3) Requiring the working group to review:
(A) Regulations governing agricultural workforce development and farm labor access;
(B) Water access and permitting laws; and
(C) Procurement
policies that impact the use of locally grown food in state institutions;
(4) Inserting
an effective date of July 1, 2050, to
encourage further discussion;
and
(5) Making
technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and
consistency.
Your Committee notes that this measure contains an unspecified appropriation amount. Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $100,000 for the working group established pursuant to this measure.
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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 782, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 782, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,
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________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
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