STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2985

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1883

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1883, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a two-year agricultural theft and vandalism pilot project to examine the effectiveness of prosecuting agricultural theft and vandalism cases, including theft and vandalism affecting individuals who produce agricultural products for personal or small-scale commercial use on any land, in the County of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, County of Hawaii Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, two members of the Hawaii County Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Coffee Association, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that agricultural theft and vandalism in the County of Hawaii are impediments to not only running a successful and profitable farming operation, but also to growing food or agricultural products for personal use or small-scale commercial use.  Agricultural theft and vandalism are a serious, ongoing problem, with farmers reporting theft of crops, animals, equipment, and tools, and vandalized fences and gates.  Since many incidents of agricultural theft and vandalism are not reported, the annual monetary losses can only be estimated in the millions of dollars.  By establishing an agricultural theft and vandalism pilot project for the County of Hawaii, this measure provides additional focus on investigating and prosecuting agricultural theft and vandalism.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting an appropriation amount of $200,000;

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2018; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1883, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1883, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair