STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1451-08

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

 

RE:   H.R. No. 221

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 221 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO AND HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE PROGRAMS DEVELOPED BY THE KULANI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY THAT WOULD AID IN THE REVITALIZATION OF STATE AGRICULTURE,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the Department of Agriculture (DOA), in collaboration with the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH-CAFNRM) and Hawaii Community College (HCC), to conduct a study on the pilot programs developed by Kulani Correctional Facility (KCF) that would aid in the revitalization of state agriculture and provide workforce training and reentry opportunities for KCF inmates.

 

     UH-CAFNRM supported this measure.  DOA supported the intent of this measure.

 

     Your Committees note that concerns were raised regarding the costs of the study and the pilot programs, and the availability of funds to meet these costs.  Approximately $350,000 is needed to meet these costs.  Your Committees support future legislative efforts to address this concern.

 

     In addition, the students at UH-CAFNRM and HCC provide a potentially valuable resource to aid in the study, as well as the programs.  Your Committees encourage UHH-CAFNRM and HCC to consider ways to involve the students in the study and the programs.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Making UH-CAFNRM the lead agency requested for the study, with the collaborative efforts of DOA and HCC to assist UH-CAFNRM, and changing the measure's title to reflect this amendment;

 

     (2)  Clarifying that the pilot programs may include a multicultural, multiethnic component that may provide support in helping the inmates better adjust to society;

 

     (3)  Requesting DOA to explore alternative sources of funding, including federal funds from agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture, that may be available to meet the costs of the study, as well as the pilot programs;

 

     (4)  Extending the deadline for the requested report on the study to 20 days prior to the 2010 Regular Session; and

 

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Public Safety & Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 221, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Finance, in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 221, H.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Public Safety & Military Affairs,

 

 

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair

 

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair