STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1220

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1257

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 1257, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds for a permanent Agricultural Crimes Task Force to address the issue of agricultural crime in the State; and

(2) Establish an offense of agricultural crime for committing certain property crimes on agricultural property.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Law Enforcement; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Ohana Unity Party; Griffith Livestock Company LLC; Ponoholo Ranch; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that agricultural crimes are becoming more frequent and pose a serious risk to Hawaii's farmers and ranchers. These offenses not only result in financial hardship but also weaken food security and disrupt the agricultural economy. This measure creates an Agricultural Crimes Task Force within the Department of Agriculture to strengthen enforcement efforts, enhance coordination with law enforcement, and develop strategies to prevent agricultural crimes, ensuring greater security for the State's farming communities.

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.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $500,000.

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 S.B. No. 1257, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1257, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair