STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2040

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2138

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2138 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NUTRIENT CYCLING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an appropriation for a nutrient cycling center pilot project on Maui and require reporting on the efficacy of the pilot project.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Maui Farmers Union United, Hawaii Food Policy Council, and six individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that nutrient cycling fosters agricultural production by preventing nutrients from flowing from farmland into aquifers and shorelines.  Nutrient cycling puts end products back into the land-based food chain instead of generating waste or causing pollution, as with food waste.  Your Committee further finds that nutrient cycling lowers agricultural production costs, increases yields, reduces waste in streams, and leaves the soil in revitalized condition.  Your Committee also finds that a regional nutrient cycling center in Hawaii, particularly on Maui, would promote environmental, economic, and social benefits for the State along with food and energy security, while minimizing the interisland transfer of waste streams and reducing the likelihood of transporting invasive species.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2138 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

 

 

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair