STAND. COM. REP. NO.2917

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2176

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2176, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL MARKETING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist farmers with marketing their products and produce by establishing a temporary agricultural cooperative. The agribusiness development corporation shall establish the cooperative, provide its knowledge and resources to develop the marketing plan, and annually report its findings, recommendations, and progress to the legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, North Shore Farms, and Waialua Farmers Cooperative.

Your Committee finds that the concept of a statewide marketing effort will allow farmers a mechanism to consolidate and market their produce in a cohesive manner. Marketing locally and overseas will help many small farmers compete in the world market.

Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting the establishment of a temporary agricultural cooperative. After consulting with federal experts in the formation of agricultural cooperatives and closely reviewing chapter 421, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Agribusiness Development Corporation discovered that it does not meet the qualifications of incorporators and therefore cannot form a cooperative. Additionally, nonsubstantive, technical amendments have been made.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2176, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2176, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

JAN YAGI BUEN, Chair