STAND. COM. REP. NO.  791-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2546

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2546, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to support certain agricultural practices by establishing an Agriculture Grant Program and a special fund for the Program to provide grants to qualifying farmers for:

 

     (1)  Expanding farm operations and improving productivity;

 

     (2)  Changing or adding crops;

 

     (3)  Investing in food safety; and

 

     (4)  Providing for workforce development.

 

     The Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership, and an individual provided testimony in support of the measure.  The Department of Agriculture and Department of Budget and Finance provided comments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2546, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair