STAND. COM. REP. NO. 778

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 448

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 S.B. No. 448, 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 appropriate moneys to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement in Central Oahu.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, and Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that Chapter 198, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes the creation of conservation easements to preserve and protect land for agricultural use. Your Committee further finds that the State has enacted ambitious mandates for the purchase of locally produced food by certain dates to ensure the continued growth of local produce, support local farmers and ranchers, and guarantee that revenue derived from locally-grown food remains in the State. Your Committee recognizes that the acquisition of a conservation easement in Central Oahu will help the State meet its local food production goals.

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 S.B. No. 448, 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