STAND. COM. REP. NO. 759

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 558

S.D. 2

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. 558, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate moneys for a food and product innovation network within the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Agribusiness Development Corporation; University of Hawaii System; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Local Food Coalition; Ulupono Initiative; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that establishing a food and product innovation network is critical to meeting the State's agricultural and economic diversification goals. Your Committee further finds that appropriating moneys for food and product innovation and for development facilities throughout the State are first steps in building the network.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adding language to define the terms "open-access," "wider network," and "world-class products."

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. 558, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 558, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair