STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1580

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 159

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred S.R. No. 159 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGARDING GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with the Agribusiness Development Corporation regarding grant funding opportunities with the United States Department of Agriculture to provide more support for local agricultural organizations or entities and encourage the development of a sustainable agricultural industry in the State.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

Your Committees find that access to United States Department of Agriculture grants can result in increased capacity, new business opportunities, and increased employment for Hawaii's agricultural producers, while helping to address state goals of increased self-sufficiency and sustainability. According to testimony received by your Committees, this measure enhances the current collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and the Agribusiness Development Corporation regarding grant funding opportunities with the United States Department of Agriculture. This measure supports increasing Hawaii's food production, and therefore food security, by requesting assistance for local farmers, ranchers, growers, exporters, and value-added producers, as well as commodity groups and agriculture associations statewide, in obtaining federal funding.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Economic Development and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 159, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 159, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Economic Development and Tourism,

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair