STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2003

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2396

       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 S.B. No. 2396 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN PROGRAMS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Appropriate additional funds to the agricultural loan revolving fund and Hawaii water infrastructure special fund; and

 

     (2)  Set a ceiling for the Hawaii water infrastructure special fund.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farm Bureau; and Oahu County Legislative Priorities Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that the agricultural loan revolving fund has a balance of only $1,800,000 and requires additional funds to support new farmers and improve the State's food self-sufficiency as more agricultural lands become available.

 

     Your Committee also finds that the Department of Agriculture's proposed ceiling for the Hawaii water infrastructure special fund should be included in the state budget, but at a higher level than was requested by the Department, to create a permanent ceiling for the fund.  Having a permanent ceiling would allow for efficient management of the program and ensure greater stability for the program's applicants.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 S.B. No. 2396, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2396, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair