STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1398

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 557
                                        H.D. 2
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B.
No. 557, H.D. 2, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR TROPICAL
     FLOWER RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds to conduct
research on tropical flowers and to promote the tropical flower
industry. 

     Your Committee finds that the tropical flora industry in
Hawaii which has long been a staple industry for Hawaii's farming
community needs continued support and marketing promotion in
order to sustain its supremacy.  For example, there is foreign
competition from such countries as Thailand which also grows and
exports orchids.  As other countries also find the export value
of tropical plants and flowers, Hawaii may find serious
challenges to its industry that grows orchids, anthuriums, and
green plants used for landscaping and home decorations.  

     Your Committee has amended this bill by deleting the
specific dollar amounts provided in each category.


 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1398
                                   Page 2


     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B.
No. 557, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass
Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 557,
H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

                                 Respectfully submitted on behalf
                                 of the members of the Committee
                                 on Ways and Means,



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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