STAND. COM. REP. NO. 70

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.B. No. 1306

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1306 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the purpose of purchasing a Kunia Dow DuPont Pioneer Land parcel.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.

 

     Your Committee finds that Kunia Dow DuPont Pioneer Land:  tax map key number (1)9-2-001:por11 encompasses 282 acres on Oahu and has existing facilities that can be repurposed, a baseyard, and greenhouse infrastructure.  Your Committee further finds that this parcel, if acquired by the Agribusiness Development Corporation, will have multiple purposes, which may include Department of Agriculture animal and plant industry activities, research and development projects, and commercial agriculture.

 

     Your Committee also notes that land availability and long-term leases at affordable and predictable lease rental rates are critical to the economic viability of Hawaii's agriculture industry.  Accordingly, your Committee finds that this acquisition of prime agricultural land in Kunia will increase the agricultural land available for the State to provide farmers with long-term leases at affordable and predictable rates that will enhance Hawaii's agricultural industry.

 

     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. 1306 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 Agriculture and Environment,

 

 

 

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair