HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2025

 

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & FOOD SYSTEMS

Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, Chair

Rep. Matthias Kusch, Vice Chair

 

Rep. Nicole E. Lowen

Rep. Sean Quinlan

Rep. Amy A. Perruso

Rep. Gene Ward

 

 

NOTICE OF HEARING

 

DATE:

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

TIME:

9:30 a.m.

PLACE:

VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE

Conference Room 325

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

 

 

 

Click here to submit testimony and to testify remotely or in person.

 

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shortly before the scheduled start time.

 

Click here for the live stream of this meeting via YouTube.

 

 

 

A G E N D A

 

SB 659, SD2, HD1

(HSCR1190)

Status

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Exempts from the electronic procurement system the Department of Education's purchase of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed, agricultural, or food products not exceeding a certain amount, subject to certain requirements.  Requires the Department of Education to establish guidelines for determining a geographic preference for locally sourced products.  Exempts the Department of Education from the requirement that certain agricultural products are subject to the Hawaii Public Procurement Code.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

 

EDN, AGR, FIN

SB 125, SD2, HD1

(HSCR1238)

Status

RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for State Enterprise Zone Program purposes to include retail sales of tangible personal property manufactured and sold in the enterprise zone to the final consumer, the processing of value-added agricultural products grown within an enterprise zone, the provision of professional services by health care professionals in health-care-related sectors, the use of advanced manufacturing to produce products, or the development of cybersecurity technology.  Extends the eligibility period of the state business tax credit and general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones from 7 years to 9 years.  Extends the eligibility period of the general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones engaged in the manufacturing of tangible personal property or the producing or processing of agricultural products from 10 years to 12 years.  Makes the extension of the state business tax credit eligibility period applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.  Makes the extension of the general excise tax exemption eligibility period take effect on 1/1/2027.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

 

ECD, AGR, FIN

SB 739, SD2, HD1

(HSCR1266)

Status

RELATING TO LAND EXCHANGE.

Allows the Governor to negotiate land exchanges, subject to approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, to acquire lands that are suitable for long-term diversified agricultural production in exchange for land for private affordable, workforce, or other housing development.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

 

WAL, AGR, FIN

SB 1099, HD1

(HSCR1264)

Status

RELATING TO IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Authorizes the Land Use Commission to designate county or state lands as important agricultural lands, and adopt maps for the designated lands, in counties that fail to identify and recommend important agricultural lands by 12/31/2027.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

 

WAL, AGR, JHA

SB 1250, SD1

(SSCR1040)

Status

RELATING TO FARM TO FAMILIES.

Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to alleviate food shortages in the State.  Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

AGR, FIN

 

 

 

 

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

 

Persons wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.  Testimony received after this time will be stamped late and left to the discretion of the chair to consider.  While every effort will be made to incorporate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed, may not be processed.

 

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FOR AMENDED NOTICES:  Measures that have been deleted are stricken through and measures that have been added are bolded.

 

For more information, please contact the Committee Clerk at (808) 586-8530.

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa

Chair