STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1112-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.R. No. 27
                                     H.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.R.
No. 27 entitled: 

     "HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF
     ESTABLISHING A HAWAII FARMER'S MARKET,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the Department
of Agriculture to conduct a study on the feasibility of
establishing a farmer's market in the State.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii could become a major
agricultural center with its variety of soils, altitudes, and
rain conditions and can grow virtually any crop.  Additionally,
with the closing of the sugar plantation in recent years, there
is a growing number of small farmers who need to promote and
market their agricultural and aquacultural products.  Almost any
crop can be grown in Hawaii.  Purchasing locally grown products
would reduce our food imports, keep money in the state, and
expand our economy.

     Your Committee has amended this resolution by having the
Department of Agriculture Study to include:

     (1)  A financial plan for the development of a Hawaii
          Farmer's Markets;

     (2)  A financial impact analysis on the normal "three
          tier system" going from Farmer to Wholesaler to

 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1112-00
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          Retailer;

     (3)  An analysis on the impact of potential job loss to
          wholesalers and retailers as it relates to the loss
          of revenue due to decreased market share for existing
          retailers;

     (4)  An analysis on the financial impact as it relates to
          the increased burden on State Departments executing
          required inspections for retail operations; and

     (5)  An analysis to establish the total number of Farmer's
          Markets, People's Markets, and flea Markets, and if
          there is a need for additional markets.

     Testimonies were received from the Board of Agriculture and
the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation in support of this resolution.
The Legislative Information Services of Hawaii supports the
intent of this measure and offered comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your
Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 27, as
amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the
Committee on Finance, in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 27,
H.D. 1.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Agriculture,



                                   ______________________________
                                   FELIPE P. ABINSAY, JR., Chair