STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1778

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 782, H.D. 1, S.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 moneys 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 written comments in support of this measure from the East Oahu County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Purple Maia Foundation, and two individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that the agricultural industry in Hawaii faces many challenges from a variety of factors. Your Committee further finds that unnecessary or obsolete sections of the Hawaii Revised Statutes impede the growth and success of agriculture in the State and should be carefully reviewed to determine whether they should be amended or repealed.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 782, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair